European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 08 / 07 / 2021
Brussels, 8 July 2021
NextGenerationEU: la Commission approuve le plan pour la reprise et la résilience de
Chypre
La Commission européenne a adopté une évaluation positive du plan pour la reprise et la résilience
(FRR) de Chypre. Il s'agit d'une étape importante vers le versement des fonds au titre de la facilité
pour la reprise et la résilience vers cet État membre. Ce financement soutiendra la mise en œuvre
des mesures essentielles d'investissement et de réforme décrites dans les plans pour la reprise et la
résilience de ce pays. La Commission a évalué ce plan au regard des critères énoncés dans le
règlement FRR. Le Conseil disposera à présent, en principe, de quatre semaines pour adopter les
propositions de la Commission. NextGenerationEU, dont la FRR est l'instrument clé, apportera
jusqu'à 800 milliards d'euros (en prix courants) pour soutenir les investissements et les réformes
dans l'ensemble de l'UE. (Pour plus d'informations: Marta Wieczorek – Tél.: +32 229 58197; Enda
McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 64976)

EU Digital COVID Certificate: Commission adopts equivalence decision for Swiss certificates
Today, the Commission adopted a decision ensuring that COVID-19 certificates issued by
Switzerland will be considered equivalent to the EU Digital COVID Certificate. This means that
Switzerland, as the first country from outside the 30 countries of EU and EEA area, will be connected
to the EU's system and that the Swiss COVID certificates will be accepted in the EU under the same
conditions as the EU Digital COVID Certificate. In practice, holders of a Swiss certificate – Swiss
nationals, EU citizens, and third-country nationals legally staying or residing in Switzerland – will be
able to travel inside the EU under the same conditions as holders of an EU Digital COVID Certificate.
At the same time, Switzerland has agreed to accept the EU Digital COVID Certificate for travel to
Switzerland. Today's decision will come into effect as of tomorrow, 9 July. Commissioner for Justice,
Didier Reynders, said: “I warmly welcome that the Swiss authorities have decided to implement a
system based on the EU Digital COVID Certificate. As a result, the certificate will not only facilitate
free movement within the EU, but also between the EU and Switzerland. This will allow EU citizens
and Swiss nationals to travel safely and more freely this summer.” Free movement between the EU
and Switzerland is based on a Free Movement of Persons Agreement, which does not contain a
mechanism for incorporation of Union acts. As a result, the Commission had to adopt a separate
decision to ensure that Swiss COVID Certificates can be recognised and accepted in the EU. The
Commission's decision on the equivalence of the Swiss COVID certificate is available online. More
information on the EU Digital COVID Certificate can be found on the dedicated website and Q&A. (For
more information: Christian Wigand — Tel. + 32 229 62253; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229
58615; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tel.: + 32 229 63444; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

REACT-EU: près de 438,2 millions d'euros pour la France et la Slovénie afin de soutenir les
citoyens les plus démunis et investir dans la santé et dans une relance verte et numérique
La Commission a accordé un financement supplémentaire de la politique de cohésion de près de
438,2 millions d'euros à la France et à la Slovénie pour les aider à faire face à l'impact économique et
social de la pandémie de coronavirus et à stimuler une relance verte et numérique équitable. Ce
montant a été consenti dans le cadre d'une modification de deux programmes opérationnels (PO) au
titre du Fonds européen de développement régional (FEDER) et du Fonds social européen (FSE) ainsi
que d'un PO pour le Fonds européen d'aide aux plus démunis (FEAD) sous REACT-EU. En Slovénie,
253,3 millions d'euros de ressources supplémentaires soutiendront principalement les soins de santé
et les soins de longue durée ainsi que la transition verte et numérique, en renforçant par exemple les
infrastructures de santé pour la gestion de la pandémie de coronavirus et en investissant dans des
équipements TIC pour permettre l'enseignement et l'apprentissage à distance. En France, le PO
national FEAD recevra 104 millions d'euros supplémentaires pour l'aide alimentaire aux plus de 4,8
millions de personnes dans le besoin. Avec la pandémie du coronavirus, le nombre de personnes

n'ayant pas accès a suffisamment de nourriture pour elles-mêmes et leurs familles a augmenté de
20%; le FEAD contribue à environ un tiers de la totalité de l'aide alimentaire livrée en France, des
colis alimentaires principalement. En Île-de-France, 80,9 millions d'euros supplémentaires serviront
à fournir des fonds de roulement et des investissements aux petites et moyennes entreprises (PME).
Ce montant garantira également la rénovation thermique des bâtiments, la mobilité verte et
l'économie numérique en mettant l'accent sur les écoles et autres établissements d'enseignement, et
améliorera les produits et services dans le secteur de la santé. REACT-EU fait partie de
NextGenerationEU et fournit 50,6 milliards d'euros de financement supplémentaire (en prix courants)
au cours de 2021 et 2022 aux programmes de la politique de cohésion. Les mesures se concentrent
sur le soutien de la résilience du marché du travail, de l'emploi, des PME et des familles à faible
revenu, ainsi que sur la mise en place de fondations pérennes pour les transitions verte et numérique
et une reprise socio-économique durable. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela - Tél.: +32 229
66712; Marta Wieczorek - Tél.: +32 229 58197; Veronica Favalli - Tél. : +32 229 87269; Flora
Matthaes +32 229 83951)

EU Cohesion policy: Commission launches public consultation for a new strategic approach
for the outermost regions
Today the Commission has launched a public consultation to gather views for a new strategic
approach to the outermost regions for a green, digital and fair recovery. Commissioner for Cohesion
and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “The EU outermost regions harbour unique assets for the EU, such
as rich biodiversity, strategic location for space and astrophysics activities, vast maritime zones,
proximity to third countries. These regions have also the potential to become innovation incubators
for a green and digital transition. The time has come to redesign the strategic approach towards the
outermost regions and therefore I encourage all relevant stakeholders, citizens and civil society,
local, regional and national authorities, to share their views to shape it together.” The EU's outermost
regions – Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island and Saint-Martin
(France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal) and the Canary Islands (Spain) – are located in the
Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, South America and the Indian Ocean. Due to the constraint of
their extreme remoteness, small size and vulnerability to climate change, the EU provides specific
support measures towards these regions, including tailored conditions for the implementation of EU
legislation and access to EU programmes. The Commission intends to renew its strategic partnership
with the outermost regions, adapting it to the EU priorities on green and digital transition for a
stronger recovery after the coronavirus pandemic. The results of the public consultation will feed into
a new Communication setting up the priorities for the strategic approach and partnership with these
regions to be adopted in 2022. The public consultation is available here and will be open until 4
November. More information is available on the Outermost regions webpage. (For more information:
Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Education: Commission launches expert group to develop ethical guidelines on artificial
intelligence and data for educators
Today, the Commission is holding the first meeting of the expert group on Artificial Intelligence (AI)
and data in education and training. The expert group is part of the Digital Education Action Plan
(2021-2027), which will further promote understanding of the use of emerging technologies and
raise awareness about the opportunities and risks of using AI and data in education and training. The
25 experts, selected via an open call, are to prepare ethical guidelines on AI and data targeting
specifically the education and training sector. Acknowledging the potential and risks of AI
technologies and data, the group will tackle challenges related to non-discrimination as well as
ethical, security, and privacy concerns. It will also address the pressing need for educators and
students to have a basic understanding of AI and data usage to engage positively, critically, and
ethically with this technology. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture,
Education and Youth, said: “Artificial intelligence and learning analytics are game-changing
technologies. They are revolutionising the way students learn. At the same time, many educators,
parents, and students are understandably worried about who collects, controls, and interprets the
data generated about them. This is where our new expert group comes in: their work will be
instrumental to prepare practical ethical guidelines for educators, addressing for example biases in
decision-making. Today is an important step towards implementing our Digital Education Action Plan
– together we will ensure that AI meets real educational needs and is used safely and ethically by
learners and educators across Europe.” Today's meeting is the first of four to take place over the next
12 months. The guidelines, to be presented in September 2022, will be accompanied by a training
programme for researchers and students on the ethical aspects of AI, and include a target of 45% of
female participation in activities. The group will also make sure that the guidelines take into account

the Commission's April 2021 proposal for AI legal framework and new Coordinated Plan with Member
States. Information about the launch and the work programme of the expert group is available
online, further information on AI and education is available here. (For more information: Sonya
Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Sinéad Meehan–van Druten – Tel.: +32 229 84094)

Antitrust: Commission fines car manufacturers €875 million for restricting competition in
emission cleaning for new diesel passenger cars
The European Commission has found that Daimler, BMW and Volkswagen group (Volkswagen, Audi
and Porsche) breached EU antitrust rules by colluding on technical development in the area of
nitrogen oxide cleaning. The Commission has imposed a fine of € 875 189 000. Daimler was not
fined, as it revealed the existence of the cartel to the Commission. All parties acknowledged their
involvement in the cartel and agreed to settle the case. The car manufactures held regular technical
meetings to discuss the development of the selective catalytic reduction (SCR)-technology which
eliminates harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx)-emissions from diesel passenger cars through the injection
of urea (also called 'AdBlue') into the exhaust gas stream. During these meetings, and for over five
years, the car manufacturers colluded to avoid competition on cleaning better than what is required
by law despite the relevant technology being available. This means that they restricted competition
on product characteristics relevant for the customers. That conduct constitutes an infringement by
object in the form of a limitation of technical development, a type of infringement explicitly referred
to in Article 101(1)(b) of the Treaty and Article 53(1)(b) of the European Economic Area (EEA)-
Agreement. The conduct took place between 25 June 2009 and 1 October 2014. Executive Vice-
President of the Commission Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy said: “The five car
manufacturers Daimler, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche possessed the technology to reduce
harmful emissions beyond what was legally required under EU emission standards. But they avoided
to compete on using this technology's full potential to clean better than what is required by law. So
today's decision is about how legitimate technical cooperation went wrong. And we do not tolerate it
when companies collude. It is illegal under EU Antitrust rules. Competition and innovation on
managing car pollution are essential for Europe to meet our ambitious Green Deal objectives. And
this decision shows that we will not hesitate to take action against all forms of cartel conduct putting
in jeopardy this goal.” A 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 €1.5 million Bulgarian scheme to support farmers active in
oil-bearing rose growing in the context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €1.5 million Bulgarian scheme to support small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) active in oil-bearing rose growing affected by the coronavirus
outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme,
the public support will take the form of direct grants. The scheme aims at mitigating the liquidity
shortages that the beneficiaries are facing due to the coronavirus outbreak and to the restrictive
measures that the Bulgarian government had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The
eligible beneficiaries will be compensated for losses incurred between March 2020 and December
2021, up to approximately €50 per hectare of roses. The measure is expected to benefit between 500
and 1000 farming companies. The Commission found that the Bulgarian scheme is in line with the
conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €225,000
per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December 2021. The Commission concluded
that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the
economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the
Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the 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.63638 in the State aid
register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been
resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32
229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Grace by Standard Industries
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of W.R.
Grace & Co. (‘Grace') by Standard Industries Holding Inc. (‘Standard Industries'), both of the US.
Grace is engaged in the production and sale of a selection of specialty chemicals and materials on a
global basis. Standard Industries is a global holding company with interests in the building materials

industry, mainly active in the manufacture and sale of commercial and residential roofing and other
construction products. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no
competition concerns, given the absence of horizontal overlaps and vertical links between the
activities of Grace and Standard Industries. 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.10302. (For more information: Arianna Podesta –
Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of General Markets Food Ibérica by Transgourmet
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of General
Markets Food Ibérica Group (‘GM Food') of Spain by Transgourmet Holding AG (‘Transgourmet') of
Switzerland. GM Food distributes daily consumer goods for supermarkets and foodservice operators,
mainly in Spain. Transgourmet is active in the production of processed meat products, spices and a
variety of convenience products and in the wholesale supply of daily consumer goods in several EU
and non-EU countries. The companies are both active in the procurement and the wholesale supply
of daily consumer goods in several Member States. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the companies' moderate market positions and
the presence of a number of alternative players. 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.10252. (For more information: Arianna Podesta –
Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

La vice-présidente Šuica et le commissaire Schmit participent à une réunion informelle des
ministres de l'emploi et des affaires sociales en Slovénie
Les 8 et 9 juillet, une réunion informelle des ministres de l'UE de l'emploi et des affaires sociales
aura lieu à Brdo pri Kranju, en Slovénie. Le Collège sera représenté par la vice-présidente chargée de
la démocratie et de la démographie, Dubravka Šuica, qui participera à la première journée de la
réunion, et par le commissaire chargé de l'emploi et des droits sociaux, Nicolas Schmit, qui
participera aux deux journées de la réunion. Les ministres discuteront des moyens de créer des
marchés du travail plus résilients et inclusifs pour toutes les générations. Les discussions
s'appuieront sur les résultats du sommet social de Porto de mai dernier et sur les conclusions du
Conseil européen de juin. Il s'agit notamment des trois grands objectifs de l'UE pour 2030 dans le
domaine de l'emploi, des compétences et de l'inclusion sociale, tels que définis dans le plan d'action
du socle européen des droits sociaux. Les actions concrètes, les outils de suivi renforcés et le soutien
financier prévus dans le plan d'action seront des éléments clé pour une reprise équitable et inclusive
après la pandémie du coronavirus. Jeudi après-midi, le commissaire Schmit participera également à
la deuxième réunion ministérielle UE-Balkans occidentaux sur l'emploi et les affaires sociales. Lors de
la discussion sur comment mieux intégrer les jeunes sur le marché du travail, les ministres se
pencheront notamment sur la garantie européenne pour la jeunesse, qui connaît un grand succès. En
outre, le commissaire Schmit ouvrira vendredi une conférence virtuelle des parties prenantes UE-
Balkans occidentaux. Deux conférences de presse avec le commissaire Schmit seront diffusées en
direct le jeudi à +/-17h30 sur EbS, et le vendredi à +/-13h00 sur EbS+. (Pour plus d'informations :
Marta Wieczorek - Tél: +32 229 58197; Daniel Ferrie - Tél: +32 229 86500)

Syria: Commissioner Lenarčič visits Turkish border and calls for renewal of UN cross-border
resolution
Today, Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, is visiting the Turkish border with
North-West Syria, which is a crucial crossing point for the delivery of humanitarian assistance for
millions of people inside Syria. The visit comes ahead of the vote on the renewal of the UN resolution
on cross-border aid delivery which is due in the coming days. Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for
Crisis Management, said: “Failure to renew the cross-border resolution will jeopardise lifesaving
humanitarian aid delivery for millions of Syrians. In North-West Syria, right now this is a matter of
life and death for those most in need. After a decade of war and displacement, the population is
exhausted and depends on this assistance to survive. It is our moral duty to not look away from the

suffering of Syrians. The European Union strongly urges the members of the Security Council to
agree to the renewal of authorisation for cross-border operations to allow delivery of life-saving
assistance, including COVID-19 vaccines. We need to use all relevant modalities to get humanitarian
assistance to people who desperately need it, cross-border as well as cross-line. It is crucial to
support Syrians in need wherever they find themselves in Syria or outside its borders, including by
helping build the resilience of people who have endured 10 years of conflict.” In addition to meeting
with senior United Nations representatives and aid workers engaged in cross-border assistance into
North-West Syria during his visit, Commissioner Lenarčič also met with the Turkish government
representatives and the local authorities in Hatay. In March 2021, the European Commission alone
mobilised €130 million in humanitarian aid to provide vital assistance to millions of people inside
Syria. The Commission also supports Syrians in neighbouring countries hosting refugees such as
Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt. The full press release is available online. (For more
information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)

EU Vaccines Strategy: Commissioner Kyriakides in Spain to meet the Ministers for Health,
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Tomorrow, 9 July, Commissioner Kyriakides will be in Madrid, Spain, where she will meet with the
Minister for Health, Ms Carolina Darias, and the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Mr Luis
Planas. Discussions with the Minister for Health will focus on the EU Vaccines Strategy and the roll-
out of the national vaccination campaign in Spain, as well as the way forward on the proposals under
the European Health Union. The meeting of the Commissioner with the Minister for Agriculture,
Fisheries and Food will focus on key issues related to Food Safety, including the Farm to Fork
Strategy, animal welfare, and antimicrobial resistance. Ahead of the visit to Spain,
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “Over 64% of the EU's adult
population has now been vaccinated with one dose – in Spain the number is even higher. We all
need to continue push ahead and increase the numbers of fully vaccinated persons as quickly as
possible. Full vaccination remains our strongest response against COVID-19 and its new variants. I
am looking forward to discussing how the EU can further support the roll-out of the successful
Spanish national vaccination campaign. We must ensure that vaccines win the race, not the
variants.” This visit is part of the Commission's on-going efforts and Commissioner Kyriakides'
commitment to support the roll-out of Member States national COVID-19 vaccination
campaigns. (For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy
– Tel.: +32 229 83978)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse

On 1 July, the Spokesperson's Service re-opened the Berlaymont press room to a limited
number of journalists. For more information, please see here.
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