European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 24 / 11 / 2021
Brussels, 24 November 2021
Dotation REACT-UE de 11 milliards d'euros désormais disponibles pour 2022
La Commission a publié l'allocation des ressources REACT-UE pour l'année 2022. Environ 11 milliards
d'euros (en prix courants) sont désormais disponibles pour les programmes relevant de la politique
de cohésion dans l'ensemble des 27 États membres. Ces fonds s'ajoutent à la dotation de près de 40
milliards d'euros mise à disposition en 2021, dont 92 % ont déjà été affectés à des programmes
d'investissement. Les États membres pourront continuer à mettre en œuvre des mesures de relance
en augmentant la résilience des soins de santé, des entreprises et du soutien aux groupes les plus
vulnérables, tout en contribuant également aux priorités écologiques et numériques pour une reprise
intelligente, durable et cohérente. La Commission a récemment lancé les négociations avec les États
membres sur l'utilisation de la tranche 2022 de REACT-EU. Les États membres pourront désormais
envoyer leurs modifications de programmes à la Commission. Une fois ces modifications approuvées,
les États membres pourront accéder aux nouvelles ressources à compter du 1er janvier 2022.
REACT-EU fait partie de NextGenerationEU et fournit 50,6 milliards d'euros de financement
supplémentaire (en prix courants) aux programmes de la politique de cohésion pour les années 2021
et 2022, à utiliser d'ici la fin de 2023. Tous les détails sont disponibles dans notre communiqué de
presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela - Tél.: +32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli - Tél.: +32
229 87269)

Erasmus+: près de 3,9 milliards d'euros en 2022 pour soutenir la mobilité et la coopération
dans les domaines de l'éducation, de la formation, de la jeunesse et du sport
La Commission a lancé aujourd'hui les appels à propositions dans le cadre de l'appel Erasmus+ pour
2022, à la suite de l'adoption du programme de travail annuel 2022. Outre l'appel général, le
programme de travail annuel comprend également d'autres actions à lancer séparément, telles que
l'initiative « Universités européennes ». Avec un budget amené à près de 3,9 milliards d'euros pour
l'année prochaine, Erasmus+ continuera à offrir des possibilités de périodes d'études à l'étranger, de
stages, d'apprentissages et d'échanges de personnel. De plus, des projets de coopération
transfrontalière dans différents domaines de l'éducation et de la formation, de la jeunesse et du sport
continueront à bénéficier du soutien de ce programme. Le budget total disponible pour Erasmus+
entre 2021 et 2027 s'élève à 26,2 milliards d'euros, auxquels s'ajoutent environ 2,2 milliards d'euro
provenant des instruments extérieurs de l'UE. Les projets de mobilité et de coopération Erasmus+
soutiennent les transitions écologique et numérique, tout en favorisant une citoyenneté active et une
plus grande participation à la vie démocratique. Depuis le début de la pandémie de COVID-19,
Erasmus+ a également contribué à la résilience des systèmes d'éducation et de formation.
L'inclusion demeure un principe fondamental du programme pour permettre à davantage de
personnes d'apprendre et de participer à des projets internationaux, mais aussi pour toucher un
nombre croissant de personnes ayant moins d'opportunités. Pour plus d'informations, veuillez
consulter notre communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32
229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 229 88199)

Politique de cohésion de l'UE: la Commission lance l'instrument relatif aux investissements
interrégionaux en matière d'innovation, d'un montant de 570 millions d'euros
La Commission a lancé le premier appel à projets pour le nouvel instrument interrégional
d'investissement dans l'innovation (I3). Il s'agit d'un nouvel instrument de financement pour la
période 2021-2027 qui alloue 570 millions d'euros pour soutenir la commercialisation et le
développement de projets d'innovation interrégionaux dans des domaines prioritaires communs en
matière de spécialisation intelligente. Il encouragera le développement de chaînes de valeur
européennes doté d'une forte dimension de cohésion puisqu'au moins la moitié de son budget sera
consacrée aux régions moins développées. La commissaire chargée de la cohésion et des réformes,
Elisa Ferreira, a déclaré: « Avec l'instrument interrégional d'investissement dans l'innovation, tirons

parti du potentiel inexploité d'une coopération interrégionale renforcée en faveur d'une Union
européenne plus innovante, compétitive et solidaire. Cet instrument combinera le soutien à
l'investissement dans les domaines prioritaires pour l'Europe tels que la transition écologique et
numérique avec les domaines d'innovation les plus solides de chaque région européenne. J'ai le
plaisir d'annoncer qu'avec le lancement de l'appel à projets, l'instrument progresse maintenant vers
la phase de mise en œuvre. » I3 soutiendra les partenariats entre chercheurs, entreprises, société
civile et administrations publiques. Le premier appel à propositions I3 d'un montant de 145 millions
d'euros couvrira les années 2021 et 2022. Une journée d'information sera organisée le 9 décembre à
l'intention de toutes les parties intéressées. De plus amples détails sont disponibles dans notre
communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela - Tél.: +32 229 66712; Veronica
Favalli - Tél.: +32 229 87269)

EU Digital COVID Certificate: Commission adopts equivalence decisions for Singapore and
Togo
Today, the Commission has adopted two new decisions certifying that COVID-19 certificates issued
by Singapore and Togo are equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate. As a result, the two
countries will be connected to the EU's system. The EU will accept their COVID certificates under the
same conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate. This means that holders of certificates issued by
these two countries will be able to use them under the same conditions as holders of an EU Digital
COVID Certificate. At the same time, the two countries agreed to accept the EU Digital COVID
Certificate for travel from the EU to their countries. Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders,
welcomes the increasing number of countries joining the EU's effort and highlights: “To this date, we
have 51 countries and territories in five continents that are now connected to the EU Digital COVID
Certificate system. I am delighted also that we have the first Southeast Asian country and the first
sub-Saharan African country that will be interconnected to the Digital COVID Certificate. With the
end of the year holidays approaching, I want to reaffirm to travellers the importance of this tool to
underpin the confidence to travel inside and outside the EU.” The two Commission decisions adopted
today will enter into force as of 25 November 2021. More information on the EU Digital COVID
Certificate can be found on the dedicated website. (For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.:
+32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229 92729)

Chemicals: Commission seeks public views on simplification and digitalisation of labels
Today, the Commission has launched a public consultation on the simplification and digitalisation of
labelling of chemical products such as glues, laundry and dishwashing detergents, fertilising
products. Labels accompanying products are the primary means to communicate essential
information to users, including hazard and safety information and product use-instructions. Yet, the
Fitness Check of the most relevant chemicals legislation (excluding REACH) and the evaluation of the
Detergents Regulation showed that label comprehension and consequently consumer protection can
be further improved by avoiding that labels are overloaded with information, which is often technical.
The public consultation will gather feedback on experience and opinions from consumers,
professional product users, industry, civil society organisations, national authorities and any other
interested parties. The results will feed into the Commission's considerations for proposals on a
revision of the Classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP), and
Detergents and Fertilising Products Regulations, expected in 2022. The public consultation is
available here and is open until 16 February 2022. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.:
+32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Gender gap at education level is shrinking, but women are still under-represented in
research and innovation
The number of female students and graduates at bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels has grown
steadily over the last years. However, women are still under-represented in research and innovation
careers. These are some of the key findings of the European Commission's She Figures 2021 report,
which since 2003 monitors the level of progress towards gender equality in research and innovation
in the European Union and beyond. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture,
Education and Youth, welcomed this year's report and said: “The latest She Figures report highlights
that Europe's economy, labs and academia already depend on women. However, it also shows that
we still need to do more to promote gender equality, in particular to inspire girls for a career in
STEM. There is no doubt, Europe needs women's creativity and entrepreneurial potential to shape a
more sustainable, green and digital future.” The She Figures 2021 publication highlights that, on
average, at bachelor's and master's levels, women outnumber men as students (54%) and graduates

(59%), and there is almost gender balance at doctoral level (48%). However, disparities between
study fields persist. For example, women still represent less than a quarter of doctoral graduates in
the ICT field (22%), while they represent 60% or more in the fields of health & welfare and
education (60% and 67% respectively). Furthermore, women represent only around one third of
researchers (33%). At the highest level of academia, women remain under-represented, holding
about one-quarter of full professorship positions (26%). Women are also less likely to be employed
as scientists and engineers (41%) and are under-represented among self-employed professionals in
science and engineering and ICT occupations (25%). More information is available in this press
release. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Marietta Grammenou –
Tel.: +32 229 83583)

Commission welcomes landmark agreement on the conservation of North Atlantic Shortfin
Mako shark
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) reached yesterday
afternoon a landmark agreement on a Recommendation on the conservation of North Atlantic stock of
shortfin mako shark. Welcoming the agreement, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for
Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, said: “Today's agreement is an important step forward on the
road to recovery of this iconic species. Thanks also to the EU's leadership in the negotiations, we
have managed to establish an effective rebuilding program for North Atlantic shortfin mako shark,
including immediate action to reduce mortality and end overfishing.” The agreement reached by all
parties around the ICCAT table this year is crucial as it kick-starts a rebuilding programme for North
Atlantic shortfin mako shark in 2022, after two years of unsuccessful negotiations. Once in force, the
robust measure agreed will lead to ending the overfishing of this vulnerable stock and will chart a
path for its recovery. One of the key aims of the Recommendation is to drive down mortality rates
significantly. The Recommendation includes complementary measures, such as best handling
practices and tasks the scientific body of ICCAT to explore a range of mitigation measures, from
spatial and temporal closures to gear modification, to assist this ambitious rebuilding program. More
information is in the news item. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712;
Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)

State aid: Commission approves 2022-2027 regional aid map for Croatia
The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules Croatia's map for granting regional
aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027 within the framework of the revised Regional aid
Guidelines (‘RAG'). The revised RAG, adopted by the Commission on 19 April 2021 and entering into
force on 1 January 2022, enable Member States to support the least favoured European regions in
catching up and to reduce disparities in terms of economic well-being, income and unemployment –
cohesion objectives that are at the heart of the Union. They also provide increased possibilities for
Member States to support regions facing transition or structural challenges such as depopulation, to
contribute fully to the green and digital transitions. At the same time, the revised RAG maintain
strong safeguards to prevent Member States from using public money to trigger the relocation of
jobs from one EU Member State to another, which is essential for fair competition in the Single
Market. Croatia's regional map defines the Croatian regions eligible for regional investment aid. The
map also establishes the maximum aid intensities in the eligible regions. The aid intensity is the
maximum amount of State aid that can be granted per beneficiary, expressed as a percentage of
eligible investment costs. Under the revised RAG, regions covering the entire population of Croatia
will be eligible for regional investment aid. A press release is available online. (For more information:
Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €2.5 million Spanish scheme to support purchase of semi-
trailers suitable for use on rail
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €2.5 million Spanish scheme to
support the purchase of intermodal road semi-trailers suitable for use on rail. The scheme will be
partly funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF'), following the Commission's positive
assessment of the Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by Council. The RRF funds
will be provided in addition to any existing support from European Regional Development Fund
(ERDF) and other national funds. Under the scheme, the support will take the form of direct grants.
It will finance part of the investment costs required for the purchase of intermodal semi-trailers,
which are significantly higher than the costs of conventional road units for direct road transport. The
aim of the measure is to contribute to the development of combined road and rail transport and to
promote the gradual shift from road to rail, which is a greener mode of freight transport. The

Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 93 of the Treaty on
the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) regarding transport coordination. The Commission
found that the scheme is necessary and proportionate to promote the use of intermodal transport,
which is less polluting than road transport and reduces road congestion. The measure will therefore
be beneficial both for the environment and for mobility. Furthermore, the Commission found that the
aid will have an 'incentive effect' as the beneficiaries would not carry out the investments in the
absence of the public support. The Commission therefore concluded that the measure will contribute
to transport coordination and facilitate the shift of freight transport from road to rail in line with the
EU policy objectives, including those set out in the Green Deal, without unduly distorting competition
in the Single Market. On this basis, the Commission approved the scheme under EU State aid rules.
The Commission assesses measures entailing State aid contained in the national recovery plans
presented in the context of the RRF as a matter of priority and has provided guidance and support to
Member States in the preparatory phases of the national plans, to facilitate the rapid deployment of
the RRF. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number
SA.63113 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 adopts new annexes to EU Emission Trading System State aid
Guidelines, defining applicable efficiency benchmarks and CO2 factors
The European Commission has adopted two new annexes to the EU Emission Trading System State
aid Guidelines (the ‘ETS Guidelines'). The new annexes supplement the ETS Guidelines and define
the applicable efficiency benchmarks and CO2 factors. The ETS Guidelines aim at reducing the risk of
‘carbon leakage', where companies move production to countries outside the EU with less ambitious
climate policies, leading to less economic activity in the EU and no reduction in greenhouse gas
emissions globally. In particular, the Guidelines enable Member States to compensate sectors at risk
of relocation for part of the higher electricity prices resulting from the carbon price signals created by
the EU ETS (so-called ‘indirect emission costs'). When the revised ETS Guidelines were adopted in
September 2020, the Commission signalled that the two annexes on ‘Efficiency Benchmarks' and on
‘CO2 factors' would be published at a later stage. The efficiency benchmarks represent the quantity
of electricity involved in the most efficient production process for each product. The CO2 factors,
which are based on the mix of fossil-fuel power generation in each country or region, reflect the
extent to which the wholesale price of the electricity consumed by the beneficiary is influenced by
ETS costs in the relevant price zones. The Commission has today adopted a Communication
supplementing the ETS Guidelines, introducing the outstanding annexes. The efficiency benchmarks
and the CO2 factors defined in the annexes are based on expert input, previous practice and
statistical data. More specifically, the efficiency benchmarks were set on the basis of an expert study
by an external consultant. The methodology to establish the applicable CO2 factors is similar to the
one applied in the previous Guidelines, and is based on Eurostat data. The new efficiency
benchmarks and CO2 factors will enter in the calculation of the compensation amount for indirect
costs incurred by the beneficiaries as from 2021, and are therefore important elements to ensure the
proportionality of the aid measures granted under the ETS Guidelines. (For more information:
Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission concludes that the Swedish risk tax on credit institutions does not
constitute State aid
The European Commission has found that Sweden's legislative proposal to introduce a risk tax on
large credit institutions does not constitute State aid. The proposed risk tax will apply to credit
institutions with total liabilities exceeding €15 billion (SEK 150 billion). This represents around 90%
of the aggregated balance sheet total of credit institutions in Sweden. Such large institutions could
cause significant indirect costs for the Swedish society, should a new crisis in the financial sector
occur. The risk tax therefore aims at improving Sweden's ability to cope with the indirect costs
stemming from a potential financial crisis. The Commission has assessed the Swedish risk tax and
has concluded that it neither confers a selective advantage to the entities to which the risk tax does
not apply nor constitutes an attempt to circumvent EU State aid rules. Therefore, the Commission
concluded that the measure does not constitute State aid under EU rules. The non-confidential
version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.56348 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)

Concentrations : la Commission autorise l'acquisition d'Alvance Dunkerque par AIP
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition du contrôle exclusif d'Alvance Aluminium Dunkerque SAS et Alvance Aluminium Service
SAS (ensemble « Alvance Dunkerque »), basées en France, par American Industrial Partners Capital
Fund VII, LP (« AIP »), basée aux Etats-Unis. Alvance Dunkerque est un producteur d'aluminium
primaire qui exploite une fonderie d'aluminium à Loon-Plage près de Dunkerque (France). AIP est un
fonds d'investissement privé axé sur le rachat et l'amélioration d'entreprises industrielles. La
Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence,
étant donné que la transaction n'entraînerait pas de marchés concernés dans l'Espace économique
européen. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre 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.10407. (Pour plus
d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of UKPN by CKA and CKI
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control of UK Power Networks Holdings Limited (‘UKPN') of the UK by CK Asset Holdings Limited
(‘CKA') and CK Infrastructure Holdings Limited (‘CKI'), both of Hong Kong. UKPN is a distribution
network operator, which owns and maintains electricity cables and lines across London and the South
East and East of England. CKA is a multinational corporation with diverse activities including
property investment and infrastructure and utility asset operation. CKI is a global infrastructure
company that has diversified investments including in energy infrastructure. The Commission
concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that UKPN's
activities are limited to the UK and that it will have no 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.10505. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of sole control of syncreon by DP World
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole
control of syncreon Newco B.V. (‘syncreon') of the US by DP World Limited (‘DP World') of the United
Arab Emirates. syncreon is active worldwide in supply logistics with a focus on the design and
operation of supply chain solutions for customers primarily active in the automotive and technology
sectors. DP World is active worldwide in port terminal operations, maritime services, free trade
zones, cargo handling and logistics services. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would raise no competition concerns because of its limited impact 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.10439. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

Stop Violence Against Women: Statement by the European Commission and the High
Representative
Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, the
European Commission and the High Representative/Vice President, Josep Borrell, issued the
following statement: “Violence against women and girls is a pervasive human rights violation. In
Europe, one woman in three aged 15 or above reported having experienced some form of physical
and/or sexual violence. Domestic violence had been a ‘shadow pandemic' already before COVID-19
broke out. During the COVID-19 pandemic, cases of domestic violence have increased, bringing to
the attention of all that for many women and girls home is not a safe place. Over the year, we also

witnessed worrisome developments threatening women and girls worldwide. Progress is possible and
we must continue to work together tirelessly to achieve more. The Commission will propose to
extend the list of ‘EU crimes' to cover hate speech and hate crime. This will allow the EU to be able to
criminalise gender-based hate speech and hate crime. We will also propose new legislation to
prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. We are stepping up our action
and call to others for continued commitment and collaboration. Let's make Europe and the rest of the
world safe for all women and girls.” You can read the full statement here. (For more information:
Nabila Massrali - Tel.: +32 229 88093; Christian Wigand — Tel. +32 229 62253)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

ASEM Summit: Leaders from Asia and Europe discuss how to strengthen multilateralism for
shared growth
The 13 th Asia-Europe Meeting takes place on 25-26 November from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in a
virtual format. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and President of
the European Council, Charles Michel, will represent the European Union, together with the High
Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell. Under this year's title ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for
Shared Growth', 51 countries, in addition to the European Union and the ASEAN Secretary-General,
will discuss ways to ensure a post-pandemic sustainable socio-economic recovery, to agree on ways
to ensure a green recovery, and to reinforce cooperation on foreign and security policies. President
von der Leyen will address leaders at the opening session tomorrow and on Friday, she will be
speaking at the second plenary session on ‘COVID-19 and Socio-Economic Recovery and
Development'. President von der Leyen will also participate in the Leaders' Retreat Session on
International and Regional Issues. The Summit takes place after the EU adopted its Indo-Pacific
Strategy in September 2021, reinforcing the EU's strategic focus, presence and actions in the region
to contribute to regional stability, security, prosperity and sustainable development. The meeting will
also be an opportunity to discuss trade and investments in research and development, as well as
sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity protection and security. A press conference, in
which President von der Leyen will participate, is foreseen for 13:00 CET on Friday. Follow it live
on EbS. The ASEM Summits are the single largest venue for political dialogue between the Heads of
State of Asia and Europe. More information on the Summit is available here and here. (For more
information: Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Nabila
Massrali - Tel.: +32 229 88093)

Commissioner Gabriel opens first Education for Climate Day
Tomorrow, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth,
will open the first Education for Climate Day. This new, annually recurring day will focus on how
education across the European Union can best help address the climate crisis. This year, the day will
start with a post-COP26 panel discussion on the role education can and should play in equipping
pupils with the necessary skills and knowledge to fight the climate crisis through concrete actions
together with their schools and communities. In anticipation of the event, Mariya Gabriel,
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “Tackling the challenges
of climate change requires not only policy initiatives, but also getting active and taking matters into
our own hands. And education plays an active role in this endeavour. The Education for Climate
Coalition offers a platform to all ‘doers' and activists who want to learn, teach and eventually make a
difference. Let's help the Education for Climate Coalition really make a difference. We need your
creativity, your commitment, and your ideas!” Representatives from the IPCC, UNESCO, the Office
for Climate Education and the education community will join the conversation. In the afternoon,
pupils, teachers and all members of the education community are invited to join participatory
sessions, to connect and inspire each other with their ideas and experiences. These sessions will be
dedicated to different topics, from youth initiatives on sustainability to national coalitions, and
sustainable tools and courses available for education. The Education for Climate Day has been
initiated by the Education for Climate Coalition that will use the occasion to present the collaborative
online platform which will facilitate exchanges from now on. Register for the afternoon sessions on
the dedicated webpage. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Célia
Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199)

Commissioners Hahn and Ferreira at the conference on public administration
Tomorrow, Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, and Commissioner for
Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, will participate in the Conference ‘Fit for recovery and
transition - Supporting Quality of Public Administration in the European Union Member States'
organised by the Commission. Commissioner Hahn said: “Modern public administrations play an
important role to ensure not only the recovery but also to set the course for the future. Therefore,
they need to function in a modern and agile way, being one step ahead when it comes to the green
and digital transition so they can best serve citizens and businesses.” Commissioner Ferreira added:
“The Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Cohesion funds and the Technical Support Instrument offer
the unprecedented opportunity for public administrations in Europe to reform and modernise
themselves, paving the way to achieve the digital and green transitions. I look forward to presenting
how the Commission is ready to help them in this endeavour.” During the conference, participants
will discuss developments in Member States as well as key challenges and opportunities faced by EU
public administrations as outlined by the Commission in April. The Commission has been actively
cooperating with Member States to increase the quality of their public administration through the
identification of critical issues, the support to the design and deployment of reforms, the provision of
capacity-building tools and of guidance, the facilitation of exchange of knowledge and experience,
financial support and the promotion of research and innovation. The conference can be followed live.
Share your comments on social media using the hashtag #QualityPA. The outcome of the high-level
discussion will be available here, and it will also feed into the democratic debate in the context of the
Conference on the future of Europe. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712;
Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Le commissaire Schmit en Espagne pour discuter de l'emploi, des compétences et des
politiques sociales
Nicolas Schmit, commissaire chargé de l'emploi et des droits sociaux, se rendra à Madrid et à Séville
pour des réunions avec des représentants du gouvernement, parmi d'autres, du jeudi au samedi, du
25 au 27 novembre, afin de discuter de l'emploi, des compétences et des politiques sociales. Jeudi,
le commissaire Schmit rencontrera Nadia Calviño, première vice-présidente et ministre de
l'économie et de la transformation numérique, ainsi que Yolanda Díaz Pérez, deuxième vice-
présidente et ministre du travail et de l'économie sociale, et José Luis Escrivá Belmonte, ministre de
l'inclusion, de la sécurité sociale et des migrations. Les thèmes à l'ordre du jour seront la mise en
œuvre du Plan d'action sur le socle européen des droits sociaux, la mise en œuvre du Plan pour la
reprise et la résilience de l'Espagne, le salaire et le revenu minimum, les dispositifs de chômage
partiel, l'économie sociale et la Stratégie européenne en matière de compétences. Le commissaire
rencontrera également Pablo Hernández de Cos, gouverneur de la Banque d'Espagne. Vendredi, il
rencontrera Ione Belarra, ministre des droits sociaux et l'Agenda 2030, afin de discuter de la mise en
œuvre de la Garantie européenne pour l'enfance, de l'économie des soins et de la réforme des
services sociaux. Le commissaire se rendra également au Comité économique et social de l'Espagne,
où il y aura un échange de vues avec les partenaires sociaux et d'autres groups intéressés. À Séville,
il participera à la conférence intitulée « Un pacte vert ou un pacte vert juste? La perspective des
régions et des villes progressistes », et rencontrera le maire de Séville, Juan Espadas. Le
commissaire Schmit visitera également un certain nombre de projets qui promeuvent l'inclusion sur
le marché du travail, tels que des projets en faveur de l'inclusion des personnes handicapées
soutenus par la Fondation ONCE, et un projet sur l'intégration des jeunes de la communauté rom
promu par la Fundación Secretado Gitano, tous deux cofinancés par le Fonds social européen (FSE).
(Pour plus d'informations: Veerle Nuyts — Tél.: + 32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes — Tél.:
+ 32 229 83951)

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.
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