European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 22 / 02 / 2021
Brussels, 22 February 2021
REUNION DU COLLEGE: Industrie européenne: la Commission prend des mesures pour
améliorer les synergies entre les industries civile, spatiale et de la défense
Aujourd'hui, la Commission présente un plan d'action sur les synergies entre les industries civile,
spatiale et de la défense visant à renforcer l'avance technologique de l'Europe et à soutenir sa base
industrielle. Ce plan d'action s'inscrit dans un contexte particulier: pour la première fois, les fonds
européens ouvrent des perspectives en ce qui concerne le renforcement de l'innovation européenne,
grâce à l'étude et à l'exploitation du potentiel de rupture de technologies au croisement d'utilisations
dans les secteurs civil, spatial et de la défense, telles que l'informatique en nuage, les processeurs,
le cyber-renseignement, l'intelligence quantique et l'intelligence artificielle. Margrethe Vestager,
vice-présidente exécutive pour une Europe adaptée à l'ère du numérique, s'est exprimée en ces
termes: « Le Fonds européen de la défense offre de très nombreuses possibilités de synergies entre
la recherche et l'innovation dans les secteurs civil, spatial et de la défense, synergies dont nous
avons besoin pour plusieurs technologies essentielles. Ce plan d'action constitue une approche
systématique et méthodologique des synergies entre des technologies essentielles dans ces trois
domaines. L'objectif est de faire en sorte que les innovations se prêtent systématiquement, dès leur
conception, à de multiples usages, et de permettre l'exploitation du potentiel d'innovation énorme
des chercheurs et des jeunes pousses. » Thierry Breton, commissaire au marché intérieur, a déclaré
ce qui suit: « La pleine exploitation du Fonds européen de la défense et la garantie de synergies
fortes entre les technologies des secteurs civil, spatial et de la défense généreront des innovations de
rupture et permettront à l'Europe de rester un organisme de normalisation mondial. Elles réduiront
également notre dépendance à l'égard de technologies essentielles et renforceront la primauté
industrielle dont nous avons besoin pour sortir de la crise. » Pour plus d'informations, veuillez
consulter notre communiqué de presse, notre document questions-réponses ainsi que les
interventions de la vice-présidente exécutive Margrethe Vestager et du commissaire Thierry Breton.
(Pour plus d'informations : Sonya Gospodinova – Tél.: +32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tél.: +32 229
88199)

Le Conseil européen de la recherche va lancer ses premiers appels dans le cadre d'« Horizon
Europe »
La Commission européenne a présenté aujourd'hui le programme de travail 2021 du Conseil
européen de la recherche. Il s'agit du premier programme de travail au titre d'« Horizon Europe », le
nouveau programme-cadre européen pour la recherche et l'innovation pour la période 2021-2027. Il
prévoit, pour les actions de recherche exploratoire, trois appels à propositions principaux d'un
montant total de 1,9 milliard d'euros. Le Conseil européen de la recherche octroie des subventions à
des chercheurs d'excellence du monde entier qui sont prêts à venir ou à rester en Europe afin de
mener à bien leurs travaux scientifiques et technologiques pionniers susceptibles de servir de base à
de nouvelles industries, à de nouveaux marchés et à des innovations sociales d'avenir. Mariya
Gabriel, commissaire à l'innovation, à la recherche, à la culture, à l'éducation et à la jeunesse a
déclaré: « Je me réjouis que nous ayons adopté aujourd'hui le programme de travail du Conseil
européen de la recherche. Cette étape importante ouvre la voie au lancement d'appels qui aident les
chercheurs de haut niveau, à différents stades de leur carrière, ainsi que leurs équipes à poursuivre
des activités de recherche exploratoire. Le premier appel aidera les jeunes chercheurs dans toute
l'Europe à lancer leur propre équipe ou leur programme de recherche indépendant. Ils sont l'avenir
de la recherche européenne. » Le professeur Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, président du Conseil européen
de la recherche, a quant à lui déclaré: « Le Conseil scientifique du CER se félicite de ce que, dans le
cadre d'Horizon Europe, le Conseil européen de la recherche puisse continuer à soutenir les
chercheurs européens et leurs idées les plus innovantes. Nous serons en mesure d'octroyer plus de
subventions que jamais. Grâce à l'engagement de la Commission européenne et à la mobilisation
remarquable du personnel de l'Agence exécutive, nous sommes maintenant prêts à lancer l'appel à
subventions de démarrage 2021 le 25 février. » Plus d'informations sont disponibles dans ce

communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations : Johannes Bahrke – Tél.: +32 229 58615;
Marietta Grammenou – Tél.: +32 229 83583)

Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource Efficiency launched
Today, in the margins of the fifth UN Environment Assembly the EU, teaming up with the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and in coordination with the United Nations Industrial
Development Organization (UNIDO), launched the Global Alliance on Circular Economy and Resource
Efficiency (GACERE). The Alliance is one of the deliverables of the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan
adopted by the European Commission in March 2020 as part of the European Green Deal. Launching
the Alliance, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said:
“The transition to a resource-efficient, clean and circular economy is increasingly recognised as a
must to address the ecological crises the world is confronted with. The circular economy offers
opportunities for spurring innovation and making the transition more equitable by creating green
jobs and lowering environmental impacts. With today's launch of the Global Alliance on Circular
Economy and Resource Efficiency, the EU shows its commitment to work on those matters globally.”
Bringing together governments and relevant networks and organisations, GACERE aims to provide
global impetus for the transition to circular economy, resource efficiency and sustainable
consumption and production. The EU and eleven other countries have joined the Alliance to date. The
run-up to the fifth UN Environment Assembly also saw the launch of a synthesis report “Making
Peace with Nature”, which brings together findings of a number of global scientific assessments that
look at the climate, biodiversity and pollution crises together. According to the report, the world can
transform its relationship with nature and tackle the climate, nature and pollution crises together to
secure a sustainable future and prevent future pandemics. The report is meant to support the
reflection on achievements and failures of the environmental policies of the past 50 years. More
information is in the news release. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel: +32 229-58602;
Daniela Stoycheva - Tel : +32 229 53664)

Donner aux consommateurs les moyens d'agir : Le Conseil adopte les conclusions sur le
nouvel agenda du consommateur
Aujourd'hui la Commission se félicite de l'approbation des conclusions du Conseil sur le nouvel
agenda du consommateur adopté en novembre 2020. Didier Reynders, commissaire chargé de la
justice, a déclaré : « Les conclusions d'aujourd'hui sont très prometteuses. Je suis certain qu'au
cours des prochains mois et années, nous serons en mesure de mettre en œuvre avec succès les
priorités et les actions concrètes prévues dans le programme. La Commission collaborera étroitement
avec les États membres pour donner aux consommateurs les moyens d'agir dans le cadre de la
transition écologique et numérique. » Les conclusions d'aujourd'hui portent sur tous les domaines
prioritaires qui renforceront la protection et la résilience des consommateurs pendant et après la
pandémie de COVID-19. Parmi les actions clés prévues cette année figurent la révision de la directive
relative à la sécurité générale des produits, la directive concernant les contrats de crédit aux
consommateurs et la directive sur la commercialisation à distance de services auprès des
consommateurs, ainsi qu'une proposition visant à mieux informer les consommateurs sur la
durabilité des produits et à lutter contre les pratiques telles que l'éco blanchiment ou l'obsolescence
précoce. De plus amples informations sur ces actions sont disponibles dans la fiche d'information et
sur les pages dédiées au nouvel agenda du consommateur. (Pour plus d'informations: Christian
Wigand — Tél. + 32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tél.: + 32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli — Tél.: +
32 229 92729)

Clean Mobility: New report on conformity factors for Real Driving Emissions
Today, the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) published its third Report on conformity
factors, which are used to assess compliance of vehicles with emission limits while performing a Real
Driving Emissions (RDE) test. RDE tests, introduced by the Commission in 2016, have brought about
a major decrease in the emissions of all new types of vehicles, which must now comply with emission
limits in real world tests and not only in the laboratory. The new Report describes the outcome of a
review by the JRC last year on the performance of portable emissions measurement systems
analysers, based on over 550 tests in on-going projects. Today's report concludes that the Nitrogen
oxide (NOx) margin can be further reduced to 0.23 for the current generation of equipment.
Currently the value set in Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 is 0.43. The lower value of the margin indicate
now that PEMS equipment measure better. This is the third time that the Commission reduces the
conformity factors based on scientific evidence, with the objective to bring the conformity factor to
zero. The Commission is working to create a predictable and realistic trajectory to zero pollution

vehicles to protect citizens' health and the environment, and strengthen the competitiveness of our
automotive industry. Such a commitment is part of a broader agenda, which includes the reform of
the type approval legislation and the improvement of performance of emission tests (RDE and
Worldwide Harmonized Light Test Procedure). It also includes the plan to tighten CO2 and pollutant
emissions limits as such, in the context of the ongoing work on the upcoming CO2 emissions from
cars and vans and Euro 7 proposals. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229
66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Media pluralism: Commission launches call for tenders to map rules and approaches in
support of media plurality and cultural diversity
The Commission has launched a call for tenders to map existing rules and approaches in support of
media plurality and cultural diversity, notably related to the prominence of general interest content.
The study will provide the Commission, Member States and national regulators with a comprehensive
analysis that could support common approaches on the prominence of general interest content, as
announced in December in the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan and the European Democracy
Action Plan. The study will also provide a detailed overview of the distribution of advertising revenues
related to media content, both online and offline, between the various actors of the value chain. It
will propose possible methodologies for assessing and measuring media plurality and suggest
measures to address shortcomings. This initiative is part of wider efforts to support media freedom
and pluralism across the EU. It builds on the findings of the Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM), co-
funded by the EU, and a recent study on the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD),
which notably looked at media ownership rules. In parallel, the Commission will ensure sustainable
funding for media pluralism projects under the new Creative Europe programme. The list of current
EU-funded projects in this area is available here. The deadline for submissions for the call for tenders
is 23 March 2021; more information on calls is available here. (For more information: Johannes
Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391).

State aid: Commission approves €30 million German scheme to compensate farmers in
Bavaria for costs related to implementation of Water Framework Directive
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €30 million German scheme to
compensate farmers for income foregone and additional costs to attain the objectives of the Water
Framework Directive. The scheme will be open to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises active
in the primary agricultural production in Bavaria. The objective of the scheme is to partially
compensate farmers for their loss of income and additional costs resulting from the prohibition of
horticultural and arable farming activities on buffer strips along natural waters. The measure is
expected to benefit more than 1,000 farmers and will run until 31 December 2025. The public
support will take the form of direct grants and will be limited to a maximum of €500 per hectare of
land per year for the first five years, and €200 per hectare of land per year for the following years.
The Commission assessed the measure under the 2014 EU Guidelines for State aid in the agricultural
and forestry sectors and in rural areas and found that it is in line with the requirements of the
Guidelines. In particular, it found that the aid is proportionate and that the measure contributes to
the achievement of the environmental objectives of the Water Framework Directive, which constitute
an objective of common interest. Furthermore, the measure goes beyond what is required to
implement other EU legislation for the protection of water, such as the Nitrates Directive. On this
basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version
of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.56274 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; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves modification of Spanish ‘umbrella' scheme to support
economy in context of coronavirus outbreak, extending it to support uncovered fixed costs
of companies
The European Commission has found the modification of the existing Spanish ‘umbrella' scheme to
support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the State aid
Temporary Framework. The existing ‘umbrella' scheme was approved by the Commission on 2 April
2020 (SA.56851) and has been subsequently amended by cases SA.57019, SA.58778 and
SA.59196. Spain notified the following modifications to the scheme: (i) an amendment that allows
the provision of limited amounts of aid through financial intermediaries; and (ii) a new measure to
support the uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. Under the new

measure, the public support will take the form of direct grants, tax and payment advantages,
repayable advances, guarantees, loans and equity. The measure will be accessible to companies of all
sizes active in all sectors, excluding the financial one. Its objective is to provide liquidity to
companies that are still experiencing a decline in turnover of at least 30% because of the coronavirus
outbreak. The Commission found that the amended scheme is in line with the conditions set out in
the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support for uncovered fixed costs will not exceed
€10 million per company; and (ii) the aid will be granted before 31 December 2021. The Commission
concluded that the amended scheme continues to be necessary, appropriate and proportionate to
remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU.
On this basis, the Commission approved the measures under EU State aid rules. More information on
the Temporary Framework and other action the Commission has taken to address the economic
impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision
will be made available under case number SA.59723 in the State aid register on the Commission's
competition website. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti –
Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €500 million Greek scheme to support small and medium-
sized businesses affected by coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €500 million Greek scheme to support small and medium-
sized businesses (SMEs) affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved under the
State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme will be open to SMEs active in all sectors except the
financial, primary agriculture, tobacco and fisheries sectors. Legal entities governed by public law
and offshore companies are also excluded from the scope of the scheme. The public support will take
the form of direct grants. The objective of the measure is to help ensure sufficient working capital for
SMEs affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The amount of the grants corresponds to the interests
beneficiaries would have had to pay on existing loans for the months of January, February and March
2021. The Commission found that the Greek measure is in line with the conditions set out in the
Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €1.8 million per company and
(ii) the aid will be granted before 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure is
necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a
Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary
Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More
information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the
economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the
decision will be made available under the case number SA.61802 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; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €149 million Belgian scheme to support uncovered fixed
costs of companies in Flanders affected by coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €149 million Belgian scheme to support the uncovered
fixed costs of companies in the Flemish Region affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme
was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme will be open to companies
active in all sectors, except the financial sector. Under the scheme, the public support will take the
form of direct grants to companies that have experienced a decline in turnover of at least 60%
during the period 1 April to 31 December 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. The
beneficiaries will receive grants up to a maximum of 10% of their turnover during this period in
2019. For medium and large companies, the aid will be limited to a maximum of 70% of their
uncovered fixed costs during the same period in 2020. For micro and small businesses, it will be
limited to 90% of the uncovered fixed costs during the same 2020 period. Grants will not exceed €2
million per beneficiary and are subject to a further variable ceiling based on employment and
turnover decline of the beneficiary. The purpose of the scheme is to mitigate the economic difficulties
and the sudden liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing due to the restrictive measures
imposed by the Belgian authorities to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The Commission found that
the Belgian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular,
(i) the support will not exceed €10 million per company; and (ii) the aid will be granted before 31
December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and
proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article
107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the
Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary

Framework and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the
coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made
available under the case number SA.61748 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; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €34 million Belgian scheme to support tourism companies
in Flanders in context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €34 million Belgian scheme to support tourism companies
in the Flemish Region in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under
the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, support will be granted for investments in
health measures, ecological sustainability, digitalisation and professionalisation. Beneficiaries will
receive a pre-financing of 100% of the investment cost, up to €200,000 per project. Part of that sum
will take the form an interest-free loan, and the other part will take the form of a direct grant. The
purpose of the scheme is to support the recovery of the tourism sector in the context of the
coronavirus outbreak. The Commission found that the Belgian scheme is in line with the conditions
set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €1.8 million per
company; and (ii) the aid will be granted no later than 31 December 2021. The Commission
concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious
disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the
conditions of the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under
EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions taken by the
Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found here. The
non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.61807 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; Giulia Astuti – Tel.:
+32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Varian by Siemens Healthineers, subject to
conditions
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition
of Varian Medical Systems by Siemens AG, through its subsidiary Siemens Healthineers. The
Commission's investigation found that the combination of Siemens Healthineers, the largest supplier
of medical imaging solutions, with Varian, the largest supplier of radiotherapy solutions, could lead
to foreclosure of the parties' rivals in the EEA and the UK. This could happen through the degradation
of the interoperability (i) between Siemens Healthineers' imaging solutions and third-party
radiotherapy solutions, as well as (ii) between Varian's radiotherapy solutions and third-party
medical imaging solutions. The foreclosure of competitors resulting from the acquisition would
therefore have likely led to reduced choice in products and loss of innovation to the detriment of
customers and patients. To address the Commission's competition concerns, Siemens Healthineers
committed to continue adhering to the de facto industry-wide interoperability standard (DICOM) and
to ensure interoperability between (i) its medical imaging solutions and rivals' radiotherapy solutions
and (ii) its radiotherapy solutions and rival's imaging solutions, by providing the relevant information
and technical assistance to third parties and customers. These commitments fully address the
Commission's competition concerns. The Commission therefore concluded that the proposed
transaction, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns in the EEA
and the UK. The decision is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments. Executive Vice-
President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “High quality medical imaging
and radiotherapy solutions are crucial to diagnose and treat cancer. The efficiency and safety of
treatment relies on the ability of these products to work together. Our decision will make sure that
radiotherapy patients receive the best possible treatment by ensuring that the rivals of Siemens
Healthineers and Varian will have all the information and help they need to make their products work
smoothly with those of the parties and to continue innovating. With the interoperability
commitments, the merger can go ahead whilst preserving competition and innovation in these
markets.” The full press release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.
+32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations: La Commission autorise la prise de contrôle en commun de Market Pay par
Carrefour et Anacap
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,

l'acquisition du contrôle en commun de Market Pay SAS, basé en France, par Carrefour S.A., basé en
France, et AnaCap Financial Partners III, L.P, contrôlé by AnaCap Group Holdings Limited, tous deux
basés au Royaume-Uni. Market Pay est un prestataire de solutions de paiement fondé par Carrefour
en 2016. Carrefour est un groupe mondial principalement actif dans la distribution au détail à
dominante alimentaire. AnaCap est un fonds de capital-investissement. La Commission a conclu que
la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de son
impact très limité sur la structure du marché. L'opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la
procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles
sur le site internet de la concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le
numéro M.10064. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni –
Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Glenigan by TA Associates and the SSCP Funds
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of
Glenigan Limited (‘Glenigan') of the UK by TA Associates, L.P. (‘TA Associates') of the U.S. and
Stirling Square Capital Partners Jersey AIFM Limited (‘SSCP Funds') of the UK. Glenigan supplies
market data and intelligence software and services to companies in the construction industry. TA
Associates is a private equity fund focused on targeted sectors within technology, healthcare,
financial services consumer and business services. The SSCP Funds invest through three private
equity funds, in unquoted equity and equity-linked instruments. The Commission concluded that the
proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the lack of overlaps between the
companies' activities. 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.10128. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024;
Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l'acquisition du Groupe Apleona par PAI Partners
SAS.
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition du contrôle exclusif de l'entreprise Apleona Group GmbH, basée en Allemagne, par
l'entreprise PAI Partners SAS, basée en France. Apleona Group est une société spécialisée dans la
gestion intégrée d'infrastructures et dans la gestion de biens immobiliers comprenant tous les
services commerciaux ainsi que le marketing et le crédit-bail en matière immobilière. Elle est
présente dans plus de 30 pays mais son activité est principalement centrée sur l'Allemagne,
l'Autriche et la Suisse. PAI Partners est une société de capital investissement qui gère et conseille
des fonds détenant des entreprises actives dans des domaines variés tels que les services aux
entreprises, les biens de consommation, les biens industriels, la santé et la grande distribution. Au
sein de l'UE, les entreprises du portefeuille de PAI Partners sont principalement actives en
Allemagne, en Espagne et en France. La Commission a conclu que l'acquisition envisagée ne
soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure
du marché. L'opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du 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.10115. (Pour plus
d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

Statement by Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Reynders on the European Day for
Victims of Crime
To mark the European Day for Victims of Crime, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Vera
Jourová, and Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, issued the following statement: “Every
year millions of people in the European Union become victims of crime. The COVID-19 pandemic had
its impact too. During the lockdown measures, we saw a rise in domestic violence, child sexual
abuse, cybercrime, and racist and xenophobic hate crime. These victims need particular attention.
Many of these victims do not know their rights. Often they do not want to or are too scared to report

crimes to authorities. As a result, too many victims of crime are left unheard without access to
justice and proper support. The first step to change this is to empower victims, especially those most
vulnerable such as victims of gender-based violence or hate crime. Last year we presented the first
ever victims' rights strategy, focused on empowering victims to report crimes and get the support
they need, no matter where they are in the EU, or in what circumstances the crime took place. The
second step is to work together. We appointed our first ever Coordinator for victims' rights and set
up the EU Victims' Rights Platform, bringing together for the first time all EU level actors relevant for
victims' rights. Helping victims recover from their suffering and move on in their lives is a
challenging and long-running task that only a tight-knit cooperation between all actors at EU and
national level can achieve.” The full 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)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President von der Leyen opens the EU Industry Days to discuss the role of industry in EU's
economic recovery
Europe's biggest flagship annual event on industry, the EU Industry Days, will take place in a virtual
format from 23 to 26 February. This fourth edition will take stock of the current economic and social
context due to the pandemic across industrial ecosystems, and discuss how the European industry is
transforming to become greener, more digital and more competitive in a changing global
environment. Following a welcome address by Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton,
President Ursula von der Leyen will open the conference. European Parliament's President David
Sassoli, Executive Vice-Presidents Frans Timmermans, Margrethe Vestager and Valdis
Dombrovskis, Commissioners Mariya Gabriel, Nicolas Schmit, Kadri Simson and top EU industry
leaders will also attend. Since the first edition in 2017, the EU Industry Days have become the EU's
main platform for an open stakeholder dialogue and discussion on the industry's challenges and
opportunities. This year will notably feature the latest developments from Industrial Alliances and
the relaunch of the Clean Energy Industrial Forum. A new European Data 4 Healthy Recovery
hackathon will be organised, dedicated to solving the most pressuring smart health challenges in
Europe. There will also be the launch of a new and enhanced version of the European Cluster
Collaboration Platform, bringing together partners to work on a green and digital transition and
Europe's economic recovery. To register for the event, see here. (For more information: Sonya
Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300; Célia Dejond – Tel.:
+32 229 88199)

Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis and Commissioners Schmit and Dalli participate in
informal videoconference of employment and social policy ministers
Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People, Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner
for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, and Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, will
participate in the informal videoconference of employment and social policy ministers today.
Ministers will discuss the future of a strong Social Europe. The meeting will also look ahead at the
European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, which will be presented in March and at the Porto Social
Summit held in May. The morning plenary session will be opened by the Portuguese Presidency of
the Council of the EU and Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis. It will be followed by three
breakout sessions focusing respectively on post-COVID-19 jobs and employment as an economic and
social priority; skills as tools for a dynamic, inclusive and sustainable recovery and future; and
tackling poverty and social exclusion to promote resilient societies. The sessions will be closed by
Commissioner Schmit. The afternoon plenary session will be opened by the Portuguese Presidency of
the Council of the EU and Commissioner Dalli for a session focusing on gender equality as a driver
for recovery. Commissioner Dalli will call for gender-sensitive recovery measures and present the EU
policy tools and financial instruments available. Director of the European Institute for Gender
Equality, Carlien Scheele, will present the agency's research note “Gender equality and socio-
economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis”. Member States, social partners and the Social
Platform will then discuss the specific consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic for gender equality. A
press conference with Commissioners Schmit and Dalli following the meeting at +/16:30 will be
transmitted on EbS. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Christian

Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253)

Coronavirus disinformation: Vice-President Jourová asks online platforms to make
additional efforts against vaccine disinformation
Today, Vice-President Jourová met the representatives of Facebook, Google, TikTok, Twitter and
YouTube about the urgency of addressing coronavirus vaccines disinformation. Online platforms that
signed the Code of Practice on Disinformation have committed to dedicated reporting for the initial 6
months reporting period which was recently extended for another 6 months. Věra Jourová, Vice-
President for Values and Transparency, said: “Despite the efforts, the numbers and examples of
disinformation continue to shock. Vaccine diplomacy is accompanied by propaganda waves by foreign
actors. The online platforms play a huge role in our public debate and need to take substantial steps
to prevent harmful and dangerous disinformation, both domestic and foreign, from undermining our
common fight against the virus, especially when it comes to vaccination. We are living in a global
health emergency and information can save lives. We can only succeed by joining forces. We agreed
that cooperation needs to be strengthened between public authorities and online platforms in order
to identify disinformation in a better way and promote health announcements from the authorities. I
insisted on the importance of supporting media and civil society which play a crucial role in providing
fact-checked information. I will also discuss the matter further with Member States tomorrow at the
General Affairs Council where the fight against disinformation is on the agenda”. Following the 10
June 2020 Joint Communication on tackling Covid-19 disinformation, the monthly reporting
programme was created to ensure accountability towards the public of the efforts made by platforms
and relevant industry associations. The next batch of reports will be published later this week. You
will also find additional resources on the EUvsDisinfo website. (For more information: Johannes
Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
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