European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 18 / 03 / 2022
Brussels, 18 March 2022
Ukraine refugees: Operational guidelines to support Member States in applying the
Temporary Protection Directive
Since the start of the Russian military invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, more than 3
million people have fled the war, with estimates suggesting more than half of them are children.
To respond to this unprecedented situation, the EU agreed in record time to activate the
Temporary Protection Directive to help people fleeing war in Ukraine. The Directive became
immediately applicable on 4 March 2022 and now offers immediate protection and a clear legal
status to millions of people. Today, the Commission is presenting operational guidelines to assist
Member States in applying the Directive. The comprehensive guidelines will help all those in
need of protection to have a consistent and effective level of rights in all Member States. The
guidelines clarify among others the scope of the temporary protection, the type of evidence
needed to benefit from it, and include a dedicated chapter on children. They are intended as a
living document to reflect the situation on the ground and take due consideration of the evolving
needs of the Member States. A press release is available online. (For more information: Anitta
Hipper - Tel.: +32 229 85691; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721)

EU disburses additional €300 million in emergency Macro-Financial Assistance to
Ukraine and adopts €120 million in grant support*
Today, the European Commission disbursed a further €300 million in emergency Macro-Financial
Assistance (MFA) to Ukraine and adopted a €120 million grant for Ukraine as budget support in
the form of a State and Resilience Building Contract to support the Ukrainian Government in
strengthening civilian crisis preparedness and management at both central and local levels. This
follow's last week's disbursement of €300 million, which formed the initial part of the first €600
million instalment under Ukraine's new €1.2 billion emergency MFA programme announced by
the European Commission on 24 January 2022, together with the €120 million grant support. The
emergency MFA programme will make a meaningful contribution towards enhancing Ukraine's
macroeconomic stability in the context of Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion. It
represents a concrete demonstration of the EU's unwavering support for Ukraine. These first
disbursements follow a swift adoption of the Commission's proposal for a new emergency
programme by the Council and the European Parliament. The remaining funds (€600 million) will
be disbursed later in the year, in line with the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the EU
and Ukraine. In parallel to implementing the emergency MFA programme, the Commission is
preparing an additional MFA programme to further support Ukraine in the longer term, also
announced by President von der Leyen at the end of January. The State and Resilience Building
Contract for Ukraine adopted today seeks to mitigate the impact of current and potential future
crises in Ukraine. It envisages targeted policy measures aimed at addressing existing
vulnerabilities that result from crises affecting society as a whole or particular critical
infrastructure, including the transport network, information and communication systems and the
power grid. The action will further support the preparedness of adequate response mechanisms
at all levels of government and society. This support comes in addition to wide-ranging and
unprecedented packages of measures the EU has been taking in response to Russia's acts of
aggression on Ukraine's territorial integrity. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229
96302; Ana Pisonero - Tel.: +32 229 54320; Andrea Masini - Tel.: +32 229 91519)

Politique de cohésion de l'UE : plus de 70 millions d'euros pour améliorer la qualité de

l'eau et les infrastructures d'assainissement en Roumanie
Aujourd'hui, la Commission a approuvé un investissement de plus de 70 millions d'euros du
Fonds de cohésion pour améliorer les infrastructures d'approvisionnement en eau et de
traitement des eaux usées dans les comtés roumains de Sibiu et de Braşov, conformément à la
directive sur l'eau potable et à la directive sur les eaux urbaines résiduaires. La commissaire
chargée de la cohésion et des réformes, Elisa Ferreira, a déclaré: « Ce projet montre que la
politique de cohésion consiste avant tout à améliorer la qualité de la vie quotidienne de nos
citoyens. Prenez ce projet par exemple: il s'agit de l'eau. Il améliorera considérablement
l'infrastructure des eaux usées et de l'eau dans les régions de Sibiu et de Braşov. Il soutiendra
l'économie, protégera l'environnement et aura des effets positifs sur la santé des citoyens. » Les
fonds permettront de connecter davantage de ménages à l'infrastructure d'eau et d'eaux usées.
Il réduira également le risque de maladies en remplaçant les tuyaux en amiante-ciment et en
éliminant le risque de boire de l'eau provenant de sources fortement contaminées. Le projet
posera 10 kilomètres de conduites de collecte des eaux usées et 40 km de nouvelles conduites
du réseau d'assainissement. Vingt-six nouvelles stations de pompage des eaux usées
domestiques seront construites et réhabilitées. De plus, il reliera les ménages au réseau
d'égouts, éliminant ainsi le besoin de fosses septiques. Le bassin versant des eaux de surface
sera réhabilité, 156 km de nouvelles conduites principales de transport posées et 55 km de
conduites principales réhabilitées. Au total, 164 km de réseau de distribution d'eau potable
seront construits et 100 km réhabilités. Des réseaux d'eau potable et d'assainissement qui
fonctionnent bien donneront également un coup de pouce au développement du tourisme dans la
région, ils protégeront l'environnement en réduisant la pollution des sols et amélioreront la
qualité de l'eau des rivières. De plus amples informations concernant les investissements
financés par l'UE en Roumanie sont disponibles sur la plateforme de données ouvertes. (Pour
plus d'informations : Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tél. : +32 229 84680, Veronica Favalli - Tél. :
+32 229 87269)

Fight against drugs: Commission initiates ban on two harmful new drug substances
Today, the Commission is proposing to ban two new drug substances across the European Union:
3-MMC and 3-CMC. The two substances are life threatening due to their toxicity. They have been
available in the EU since at least 2012 and 2014, respectively. Both substances are mainly sold
as a powder, but also available as tablets and capsules. 27 deaths associated with 3-MMC were
reported across five Member States, and 10 deaths associated with 3-CMC in two Member
States. The decision to ban these substances is based on a risk assessment conducted by the
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. The Centre's initial reports and risk
assessments are available online. This is the third time the Commission initiates a ban under the
revised EU rules on psychoactive substances, after having done so for isotonitazene in
September 2020 and for MDMB-4en-PINACA and 4F-MDMB-BICA in March 2021. The delegated
act will enter into force if no objection is raised by the European Parliament and the Council
within two months. Once in force, EU Member States will have six months to enact the ban into
national law. (For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: + 32 229 85691; Ciara Bottomley -
Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721)

REACT-EU: More than €171 million of additional resources for the recovery in
Germany, Denmark and Spain
More than €171 million of EU funds under the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the
Territories of Europe (REACT-EU) are being allocated to Germany, Denmark and Spain. In
Germany, Baden-Württemberg is receiving additional resources of €27 million under the
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). These resources will be used to fund research and
development, contributing for instance to the research on the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, small
and medium businesses (SMEs) receive support to invest in innovation improving their
competitiveness and crisis resilience. In Bavaria, the European Social Fund (ESF) receives €12
million to support people most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, for example by hiring
additional teaching and care staff in early childhood education in financially weaker
municipalities. The new funds will also support the professional training of 700 people to improve

skills for the digital and green transformation of the economy. They will also support the
exchange between universities and SMEs to apply research results in businesses to contribute to
the digital transformation of the economy. In addition, the funds will support green jobs by
funding guardians in five nature conservation areas to improve environmental awareness. In
Denmark, the ERDF is topped up with more than €32 million to support the upscaling, testing and
demonstration of new green and innovative technologies, particularly in the clean energy sector.
Finally, in Spain, the Valencian Community will receive more than €100 million under the ERDF
to provide support for investments in products and services in the domain of health, in support to
SMEs and in sustainable mobility. A part of the resources will be also used for the construction
and renovation of public hospitals and schools. As a result, 8000 pupils will benefit from an
improved education infrastructure. REACT-EU is part of NextGenerationEU and provides €50.6
billion in additional funding (in current prices) over the course of 2021 and 2022 to the 2014-2020
cohesion policy programmes. (For more information: Stefan de Keersmaecker - Tel.: +32 229
84680; Veerle Nuyts - Tel.: + 32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes - Tel.: + 32 229 83951; Veronica
Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Biodiversité : la Commission sollicite des avis sur le renforcement des actions visant à
inverser le déclin des insectes pollinisateurs
La Commission lance une consultation publique ouverte sur la révision de l'initiative européenne
sur les pollinisateurs, projet de l'UE visant à lutter contre le déclin des pollinisateurs sauvages. La
révision contribuera à l'objectif de la stratégie de l'UE en faveur de la biodiversité à l'horizon
2030, qui ambitionne de mettre la biodiversité en Europe sur la voie de la reprise d'ici à 2030. Le
commissaire chargé de l'environnement, des océans et de la pêche, Virginijus Sinkevičius, a
déclaré: « Plus de 75 % des types mondiaux de cultures alimentaires dépendent de la
pollinisation animale. Les insectes pollinisateurs sont vitaux pour la sécurité alimentaire
mondiale, qui est soumise à une pression particulière. Nous devons continuer à combattre les
causes du déclin dangereux des pollinisateurs sauvages et agir de toute urgence pour y mettre
un terme. Grâce à vos réponses, nous pouvons renforcer les actions permettant de les protéger
et à en assurer leur retour. » Les insectes pollinisateurs sont essentiels au fonctionnement des
écosystèmes, à la production alimentaire, aux médicaments et à notre bien-être. Toutefois, une
espèce d'abeilles et de papillons sur dix est en voie d'extinction en Europe, et un tiers de ces
espèces sont en déclin. En mai 2021, la Commission a publié un rapport sur les progrès réalisés
dans la mise en œuvre de l'initiative européenne sur les pollinisateurs. Le rapport conclut que,
dans l'ensemble, l'initiative reste un instrument politique valable qui permet à l'UE, aux États
membres et acteurs concernés de lutter contre le déclin des pollinisateurs, mais qu'il reste des
défis importants à relever pour s'attaquer aux causes du déclin. La consultation d'aujourd'hui se
penche sur la manière de recenser les nouvelles actions et ressources nécessaires pour mettre
pleinement en œuvre les objectifs de l'initiative et respecter l'engagement d'inverser le déclin
des pollinisateurs d'ici à 2030. Ses résultats alimenteront le processus de révision. La
consultation est ouverte jusqu'au 9 juin 2022. De plus amples informations figurent dans cet
article. (Pour plus d'informations: Adalbert Jahnz – Tél.: +32 229 53156; Daniela Stoycheva –
Tél.: +32 229 53664)

Conférence sur l'avenir de l'Europe : ce rapport fait le point sur les discussions sur la
plateforme numérique multilingue
Ce rapport sur les discussions sur la plateforme numérique multilingue résume l'activité de la
plateforme de la Conférence sur l'avenir de l'Europe depuis son lancement jusqu'au 20 février
2022. Trois rapports intermédiaires ont été mis à disposition depuis le début de la Conférence.
Plus de 50 000 participants ont partagé plus de 16 274 idées sur l'avenir de l'Europe. Plus de 6
000 manifestations ont été organisées et enregistrées sur la plateforme dans toute l'Europe. Il
s'agissait notamment de conférences et d'ateliers, de hackathons ou d'événements en tous
genres. Le thème de la démocratie européenne a rassemblé le plus de contributions, suivi par le
changement climatique et l'environnement. Les contributions de la plateforme ont alimenté les
travaux des panels de citoyens européens et de nombreuses idées partagées sur la plateforme
sont prises en compte dans les recommandations des panels de citoyens européens. La précarité
du travail et le chômage des jeunes, l'accès à l'enseignement supérieur et à la culture et

l'inclusion dans le sport sont particulièrement mis en avant dans ce rapport en raison de
nombreuses contributions ces dernières semaines. Il s'agit du dernier rapport qui alimente
encore l'assemblée plénière de la conférence. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Ferrie – Tél.:
+32 229 86500; Célia Dejond - Tél.: +32 229 88199)

State aid: Commission approves €95 million Polish aid for expansion of LG Chem's
electric vehicles battery plant
The European Commission has found that Poland's €95 million measure in favour of LG Chem
Group ('LG Chem') is in line with EU State aid rules. The investment aid will support the
expansion of LG Chem's battery cell production facility for electric vehicles in the Polish
Dolnośląskie region. The aid will also contribute to the development of the region, whilst
preserving competition. In August 2020, the Commission opened an in-depth investigation to
assess whether the measure was compatible with the Guidelines on Regional State Aid for 2014-
2020. The Commission's investigation confirmed that in 2017, when deciding where to expand its
production capacity, LG Chem had considered two options: (i) a third country outside the EEA,
and (ii) its existing plant in Biskupice Podgórne (Dolnośląskie region). The Commission's
investigation showed that, without the €95 million Polish support, LG Chem would have opted to
invest outside of the EEA. The Commission's investigation also showed that the aid was limited to
the minimum necessary to incentivise LG Chem to carry out the investment in Poland.
Additionally, the Commission found that the investment aid will contribute to job creation, as
well as to the economic development and to the competitiveness of the disadvantaged region of
Dolnośląskie. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the positive effects of the project on
regional development clearly outweigh any possible distortion of competition brought about by
the State aid. The Commission therefore approved the measure under EU State aid rules.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "Our in-
depth investigation has confirmed that Poland's €95 million public support to expand the
production capacity of an LG Chem's electric vehicles battery plant is in line with our State aid
rules. The aid will contribute to job creation and to the economic development of a
disadvantaged region, without unduly distorting competition." A press release is available online.
(For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229
98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves prolongation and modification of Finnish short-term
export-credit insurance scheme
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation and
modification of a Finnish short-term export-credit insurance scheme. Under the scheme, Finland
can cover (i) risks incurred by small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') with a small export
turnover, and (ii) risks of single export transactions. The scheme was originally approved in
March 2013, prolonged both in December 2015 and in December 2020, and was set to expire in
December 2023. In January 2022, Finland notified the following modifications: (i) an increase
from €2 million to €2.5 million in the total annual export turnover for SMEs to be eligible; and (ii)
the prolongation of the scheme until 31 December 2025. The Commission assessed proposed
modifications under EU State aid rules, and in particular the 2021 Short-term export-credit
Communication. This is the first decision adopted under this recently revised Communication.
The Commission found that the modification of the eligibility threshold for SMEs, as well as the
prolongation, do not change the initial assessment of the scheme, which remains in line with EU
State aid rules. On this basis, the Commission approved the modification and the prolongation of
the scheme under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made
available under the case number SA.101648 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163)

State aid: Commission approves amendment to 2022-2027 regional aid map for Italy
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an amendment to Italy's

map for granting regional aid from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2027, within the framework
of the revised Regional aid Guidelines (‘RAG'). On 2 December 2021, the Commission approved
the initial regional aid map for this period for Italy. In this map, Italy had designated only the
regions eligible for regional investment aid under the derogation of Article 107(3)(a) of the
Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU') (so-called ‘a' areas). The amendment
to Italy's regional aid map approved today defines the Italian regions eligible for regional
investment aid under the derogation of Article 107(3)(c) TFEU (so-called ‘c' areas). In order to
address regional disparities, Italy has designated as so-called non-predefined ‘c' areas, parts of
the regions of Abruzzo, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardia,
Marche, Piemonte, Toscana, Umbria, Valle d'Aosta and Veneto. The maximum amount of aid for
large enterprises in these areas can vary between 10% and 25% of the eligible investment costs.
These amounts can be increased by 10 percentage points for investments made by medium-
sized enterprises, and by 20 percentage points for investments made by small enterprises, for
their initial investments with eligible costs up to €50 million. The non-confidential version of
today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.101134 (in the State Aid
Register) on the DG Competition website. New publications of state aid decisions on the internet
and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News. (For more information:
Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves Italian scheme to support companies active in road
passenger transport affected by the coronavirus pandemic
The European Commission has found an Italian scheme to support companies active in road
passenger transport to be in line with the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme is a re-
introduction of a measure initially approved by the Commission in May 2021 (SA. SA.62718) and
subsequently amended (SA.100126), which expired on 31 December 2021. Under the scheme,
the public support will take the form of direct grants. The measure will be open to bus companies
that operate road passenger transport services on medium and long-haul routes that are not
subject to a public service obligation (‘PSO'). The purpose of the scheme is to address the
liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them continue their activities during and after the
pandemic. The Commission found that the Italian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in
the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €2.3 million per beneficiary;
and (ii) will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. 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 scheme 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.101935 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.:
+32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €30.7 million Bulgarian scheme to support air
carriers affected by the coronavirus pandemic
The European Commission has found a €30.7 million (BGN 60 million) Bulgarian scheme to
support air carriers affected by the coronavirus pandemic to be in line with the State aid
Temporary Framework. The scheme consists of two types of support. Under both of them, the
support will take the form of direct grants. The first one provides support for the uncovered fixed
costs for air carriers that suffered a decline in turnover between March 2020 and December 2021
of at least 30%, compared to the same period of 2019. The second type of support consists in
limited amounts of aid for companies that suffered a decline in turnover over 2020 lower than
30%, compared to the same period 2019. The scheme will be open to air carriers of all sizes
holding a Bulgarian operating licence. The purpose of the scheme is to address the liquidity needs
of these companies and to help them continue their activities during and after the pandemic. The
Commission found that the Bulgarian scheme in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary

Framework. In particular, the aid will not exceed (i) €12 million per beneficiary under the first
type of support; and (ii) €2.3 million per beneficiary under the second type of support. Under
both of them, the support will be granted no later than 30 June 2022. The Commission concluded
that the scheme 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 scheme 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.100321
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; Nina
Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Announcements

Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis in Riga to discuss the economic recovery and
Ukraine
Today, Valdis Dombrovkis, Executive Vice-President for an economy that works for people, is in
Riga, Latvia, to discuss the war in Ukraine, the economic recovery, and the implementation of
the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). He delivered a keynote interview at the 7th annual
international conference ‘Baltic EU Conversations 2022: Immediate Challenges and Long-term
Vision', co-organised by the Parliament of Latvia, the European Commission Representation in
Riga and the Latvian Institute for International Affairs. The debate took stock of the state of the
European economy, focusing on the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian
invasion of Ukraine – notably, on workers and consumers, trade and supply chains disruptions.
In the afternoon, the Executive Vice-President will participate in the annual meeting of the
Employers' Confederation of Latvia. Participants will discuss the road to economic recovery,
focusing on the implementation of the RRF in Latvia and the crucial role of stakeholders such as
social partners in this process. Topics for debate also include how to advance the energy and
digital transitions, and protect people, businesses and organisations throughout the pandemic
and the impact of the war against Ukraine and its civilians. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts
– Tel.: +32 229 96302; Andrea Masini – Tel.: +32 229 91519)

Providing protection to those fleeing the war in Ukraine: Commissioner Johansson in
Estonia
On Monday, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, will be in Estonia. She will meet
with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Minister of Interior Kristian Jaani in Narva, eastern
Estonia on Monday afternoon. The Commissioner will visit the Narva border crossing point at the
Estonian/Russian border. Prior to the border visit, Commissioner Johansson will go to the eu-
LISA headquarters in Tallinn. eu-LISA is the EU agency responsible for managing large-scale IT
systems related to migration and border management. With 20,000 refugees having already
arrived in Estonia from Ukraine, Commissioner Johansson will assess the situation on the ground
and the need for assistance and coordination by the Commission when it comes to providing
protection to those fleeing the war. A press conference is scheduled at +/-12:15 CET and will be
broadcast on EbS+. (For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: +32 229 85691; Laura Bérard -
Tel.: +32 229 55721)

Forum humanitaire européen : façonner l'avenir de l'action humanitaire
À partir du 21 mars, la Commission européenne et la présidence française du Conseil de l'Union
européenne accueilleront le tout premier Forum humanitaire européen, qui réunira des décideurs

politiques et des organisations d'aide pour discuter des grands défis humanitaires dans le monde.
Le commissaire chargé de la gestion des crises, Janez Lenarčič, a déclaré : « L'UE a une
responsabilité mondiale en tant qu'acteur humanitaire. Nous restons fidèles à nos principes qui
consistent à apporter notre aide avec tous les moyens disponibles lorsqu'une action humanitaire
est nécessaire. En organisant ce Forum, notre objectif est de rassembler la communauté
humanitaire pour identifier les solutions et les actions qui peuvent contribuer à mieux soutenir
les plus vulnérables, conformément à la stratégie humanitaire européenne renouvelée. » Le
Forum prendra comme point de départ la communication de la Commission sur l'action
humanitaire de l'UE du 10 mars 2021 et les conclusions du Conseil du 20 mai 2021, et s'appuiera
sur les efforts actuellement déployés par un large éventail d'acteurs - notamment ceux des pays
touchés par la crise. Plus d'informations et suivez l'événement en direct ici. (Pour plus
d'informations: Balazs Ujvari - Tél.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tél.: +32 229 69140)

CALENDRIER – Activités hebdomadaires des commissaires

Liste des points prévus à l'ordre du jour des prochaines réunions de la Commission
Veuillez noter que ces informations sont données sous réserve de modifications.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne
Eurostat: communiqués de presse

La salle de presse du Berlaymont est ouverte à un nombre limité de journalistes. Plus
d'informations ici.

*Modified on 18-03-22, at 14:35
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