European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 08 / 07 / 2020
Brussels, 8 July 2020
Pour une économie climatiquement neutre : la Commission présente ses ambitions pour le
système énergétique du futur et l'hydrogène propre, et lance l'Alliance européenne pour
l'hydrogène propre
Pour devenir climatiquement neutre d'ici 2050, l'Europe doit transformer son système énergétique,
qui représente 75% des émissions de gaz à effet de serre de l'UE. Les stratégies de l'UE pour
l'intégration du systèmes énergétiques et pour l'hydrogène, adoptées aujourd'hui, ouvriront la voie à
un secteur énergétique plus efficace et interconnecté, guidé par le double objectif d'une planète plus
propre et d'une économie plus forte. Les deux stratégies présentent un nouveau programme
d'investissement dans les énergies propres, en accord avec le plan de relance européen Next
Generation EU et le Pacte vert européen. Pour contribuer à la mise en œuvre de la stratégie sur
l'hydrogène, la Commission lance aujourd'hui l'Alliance européenne pour l'hydrogène propre, à
laquelle participent des chefs d'entreprise, la société civile, des ministres nationaux et régionaux et
la Banque européenne d'investissement. L'Alliance constituera une réserve d'investissements pour
une production à grande échelle et soutiendra la demande d'hydrogène propre dans l'UE. L'Alliance
met l'accent sur l'hydrogène renouvelable, complété pendant une période de transition par de
l'hydrogène à faible teneur en carbone avec des réductions très ambitieuses des émissions de CO2
par rapport à l'hydrogène d'origine fossile. La conférence de presse de Frans Timmermans, vice-
président exécutif en charge du Pacte vert européen, et de Kadri Simson, commissaire à l'énergie,
peut être suivie sur EbS. Un communiqué de presse complet, des questions-réponses sur la stratégie
d'intégration du système énergétique de l'UE et des questions-réponses sur la stratégie de
l'hydrogène de l'UEsont disponibles en ligne, ainsi que des fiches d'information sur la stratégie
d'intégration du système énergétique de l'UE, la stratégie de l'hydrogène de l'UE et l'Alliance
européenne pour l'hydrogène propre, et des vidéos sur l'intégration du système énergétique de l'UE
et la stratégie de l'hydrogène de l'UE sont disponibles en ligne. Le lancement de l'Alliance
européenne pour l'hydrogène propre sera retransmis en direct ici à 16h00. (Pour plus d'informations:
Tim McPhie - Tél : +32 229 58602; Sonya Gospodinova – Tél : +32 229 66953; Ana Crespo Parrondo
- Tél: +32 229 81325; Lynn Rietdorf - Tél : +32 229 74959)

Migration: Relocation of unaccompanied children from Greece to Portugal and Finland
On 7 and 8 July, 49 unaccompanied children were relocated from Greece to Portugal and Finland as
part of a scheme organised by the Commission and the Greek Special Secretary for Unaccompanied
Minors, in partnership with UN agencies and the European Asylum Support Office.These two
operations mark the beginning of the main phase of the scheme. With preparatory work coordinated
by the Commission now completed and coronavirus-related travel restrictions easing, relocations will
proceed progressively over the next months. The next transfers will take place later in the month,
with 18 children finding new homes in Belgium, 50 in France, 106 (including siblings and parents) in
Germany, 4 in Slovenia and 2 in Lithuania. While the scheme started with an aim to relocate at least
1,600 children and young people, Member States have now pledged up to 2,000 places. The scheme
is focused primarily on unaccompanied children, but will also include children with severe medical
conditions and their core family members. At the same time, durable solutions for the protection and
care of those unaccompanied children that will stay in Greece must also be found. The Commission
stands ready to provide increased support for Greece and Member States in this respect. A press
release and Q&A are available online. (For more information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: + 32 229 53156;
Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32 229 69971)

Investment Plan backs innovative tech company in Germany
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing €20 million in financing to NavVis GmbH, a global
market leader in “digital twin technology”.Digital twin technology uses sensors to replicate a physical
entity digitally. NavVis will use the financing to further invest in expanding its operations to meet the

need for technological innovation in the manufacturing industry. The EIB's loan is backed by a
guarantee from the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the heart of the Investment
Plan for Europe. European Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, said: “The Investment
Plan for Europe has a very strong track record in identifying and supporting innovative technology
companies. The EIB's €20 million in financing will enable NavVis to continue pushing the boundaries
of what is possible with its “digital twin technology” to the benefit of companies in Europe and across
the world”. The press release is available here. The projects and agreements approved for financing
under the EFSI so far are expected to mobilise €514 billion in investments and support around more
than 1.4 million start-ups and SMEs across all EU Member States. The press release is available here.
(For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Siobhán Millbright – Tel.: +32 229
57361)

COLLEGE MEETING: two appointments of Deputy Directors-General in the departments for
competition and energy
Today, the European Commission has decided to appoint Ms Linsey McCallum to the function of
Deputy Director-General responsible for Antitrust in the Directorate-General for Competition (COMP),
with the date of effect to be determined later, and Mr Massimo Garribba to the function of Deputy
Director-General responsible for the Coordination of Euratom Policies in the Directorate-General for
Energy (ENER) as of 16 July 2020. Ms McCallum, a German and British national, is a lawyer by
profession. She started her career in Forrester, Norral & Sutton, as Associate Lawyer in 1992. She
joined the Commission in 1993 as Administrator in the Directorate-General for Trade. She has spent
the vast majority of her career in DG COMP, having notably been assistant to the Director-General
and Head of Unit for Antitrust Transport, Post and Other Services, before being appointed Director for
Information, Communication and Media in 2013. Since 2014 she has worked as Deputy Head of
Cabinet for the Vice-President Vestager where she retained her close links to DG COMP. In
appointing Ms McCallum to this vital function in charge of Antitrust issues, the Commission avails
itself of an experienced professional with over 20 years of experience of working with competition
policy development and implementation, including at the very highest levels. Mr Garribba, an Italian
national, is an electronic engineer by training. He combines strong professional expertise in the
nuclear domain with experience in scientific and research issues, having started his career in the
Joint European Torus in 1988 before moving to the Directorate-General for Information Society in
1995 and subsequently to the Directorate-General for Transport and Energy. He has also accrued
significant senior management experience within the Commission having served as a Director in DG
ENER since 2014, where he has mainly been responsible for nuclear energy and safety. He is
currently Director for Nuclear Energy, Safety and ITER. In appointing Mr Garribba to this essential
function which has responsibility for the coordination of Euratom policies, the Commission has
strengthened its capacity to ensure that all initiatives under the umbrella of DG ENER contribute to
the overall objectives of ensuring that all citizens have access to clean, secure, affordable and
reliable energy. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 460 760296; Claire Joawn –
Tel.:+32 460 756859)

Urban Innovative Actions: €45 million of EU funds for 11 projects from EU cities
The Commission and the French Regional Council des Hauts-de-France, as managing authority of the
Urban Innovative Actions (UIA), have issued the results of the 5th and last call for proposals. The
winning projects coming from Brussels, Ghent and Leiedal (Belgium), Sofia (Bulgaria), Chalandri
(Greece), Budapest (Hungary), Ferrara and Verona (Italy), Tilburg (the Netherlands), Košice
(Slovakia), and Almería (Spain) will receive more than €45 million from the European Regional and
Development Fund. The projects cover culture and cultural heritage, air quality, circular economy and
demographic change. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Today the EU
helps 11 more citiesto turn their ideas into life changing solutions. These cities will show us the way
on engaging topics highly valued by citizens, such as the quality of their environment, and provide
examples that can be replicated all over the EU." More details on the successful project proposals can
be found here. They join the other 75 projects selected under the Urban Innovative Actions 2014-
2020. For this call, the Hauts-de-France region received 222 applications from 23 Member States.
Now that all the calls for proposals have been finalised, the Commission and the Hauts-de-France
region will concentrate their efforts on valuing these experiences as sources of inspiration for
Cohesion policy 2021-2027 through an Urban Innovative Actions Knowledge management strategy.
In the future,the direct support for urban authorities to innovate and to shape the cities of tomorrow
will be part of European urban initiative 2021-2027. (For more information: Vivian Loonela – Tel.:
+32 229 66712, Daniela Stoycheva - Tel.: +32 229 53664)

Coronavirus: Cohesion policy exceptional measures for Poland approved in record time
Today, the European Commission has approved in record time the modification of the Regional
Operational Programme for Warmińsko-Mazurskie region in Poland to allow for further investments in
health services and to compensate for enterprise financial loss related to the outbreak of COVID-19.
Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, commented: “The European Commission
stands ready to work with all Member States to ensure the quick adoption of exceptional measures
necessary to tackle the outbreak of the virus. Hence, I welcome Poland's request in line with this
approach and I encourage other Polish and European regions to take advantage of Cohesion policy
flexibility to react to COVID-19 sanitary and financial crises.” The purpose of this regional programme
amendment is to use around €15 million of EU Cohesion policy funds for the purchase of medical
equipment. Among others, these include: 6 respirators, an ambulance, 11 defibrillators, 40 hospital
beds for intensive care as well as establish disinfection and decontamination facilities in hospitals in
Olsztyn, Ostróda, Elbląg, Ełk, Giżycko, Dobre Miasto and Węgorzewo and to support to the regional
sanitary-epidemiological station. Some additional €3.5 million will be dedicated to the protection of
social assistance homes, medical and nursing homes, care facilities and hospices against the virus.
Regional companies suffering from financial loss as a consequence of the COVID-19 outbreak will
also get nearly €120 million of EU Cohesion policy funds. The SME support in form of subsidies and
loans will aim at preservation of the jobs by subsidizing salaries and securing liquidity of the
companies. Lastly, additional financial support will be granted to social economy companies and
NGOs, which have played a crucial role during the pandemic, such as distributing the facemasks and
setting up hotlines offering psychological support. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32
229 66712; Daniela Stoycheva – Tel.: +32 229 53664)

EU allocates over €22 million to help Palestinians in need
Today, the EU has announced €22.7 million in humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable people in
Palestine, who are increasingly threatened by violence, hardship and a lack of essential services.
Already affected by movement restrictions prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the coronavirus has
exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Commissioner for Crisis
Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: "In these very difficult times, the EU is committed to helping
vulnerable Palestinians ward off the threats to their lives and livelihoods. As a long-standing
humanitarian donor committed to support the most vulnerable people of Palestine, the EU continues
to provide assistance in critical sectors such as health care, education and safe water. Serious
violations of international humanitarian law resulting in the forced displacement of civilians, often
preventing them from accessing basic services and livelihoods, need to stop.”Of the 2.4 million
Palestinians in need of humanitarian aid, 1.5 million live under a closure in the Gaza Strip, where
living conditions are steadily deteriorating. With these additional funds, the EU provides financial
assistance to vulnerable families, offering safe education for children and trauma care to the injured
who cannot leave Gaza for specialised care. You can access the press release published here. (For
more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Gesine Knolle – Tel.: +32 229 54323)

L'Union européenne renforce son soutien à la lutte contre l'invasion massive de criquets
pèlerins en Afrique de l'Est
L'Union européenne a mobilisé 15 millions d'euros supplémentaires pour aider les Nations unies et
les pays partenaires à combattre l'une des plus graves invasions de criquets pèlerins observées en
Afrique de l'Est depuis des décennies. Cette invasion de criquets pèlerins a eu des effets
catastrophiques sur la sécurité alimentaire dans une région déjà vulnérable. Les efforts pour enrayer
la propagation de cette invasion de criquets ont été d'autant plus entravés par la pandémie de
coronavirus. C'est la raison pour laquelle l'Union européenne accroît son soutien au plan d'action de
l'Organisation des Nations unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture et renforcera la coopération au
développement et l'aide humanitaire de l'UE dans la région. La commissaire chargée des partenariats
internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, a déclaré ce qui suit : « Nos amis et partenaires de la Corne de
l'Afrique ont subi les conséquences catastrophiques de cette invasion de criquets pèlerins sur leurs
moyens de subsistance et sur la sécurité alimentaire, situation aggravée par la pandémie de
coronavirus qui a compliqué les efforts d'intervention. Plus tôt cette année, nous avons mis en
évidence la nécessité de réagir rapidement pour combattre cette invasion. La décision de ce jour
d'augmenter notre soutien montre que nous sommes résolus à poursuivre notre action pour lutter
contre l'insécurité alimentaire en tant que membre fondateur du réseau mondial contre les crises
alimentaires. » Cette annonce s'ajoute aux 42 millions d'euros mobilisés début 2020 en faveur de la
mise en place d'une vaste approche dans la région alliant aide humanitaire et développement. Un
communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32
229 54320; Gesine Knolle – Tel.: +32 229 54323)

State aid: Commission approves German fund to enable up to €500 billion of liquidity and
capital support to enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved German plans to set up a fund
(‘Wirtschaftsstabilisierungsfonds') with a budget of up to €500 billion for providing guarantees and
investing through debt and equity instruments in enterprises affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the
support will take the form of (I) guarantees (that are expected to mobilise €400 billion of the total
amount), as well as (II) subsidised debt instruments in form of subordinated loans, and (III)
recapitalisation instruments (in total up to €100 billion), in particular equity instruments (acquisition
of newly issued ordinary and preferred shares or other forms of shareholding) and hybrid capital
instruments (namely convertible bonds and silent participations). The Commission found that the
scheme notified by Germany is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. The
Commission concluded that the German measure will contribute to managing the economic impact of
the coronavirus outbreak in Germany. Furthermore, it 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
measures under EU State aid rules. In addition to the €500 billion approved today by the
Commission, the fund can raise up to €100 billion to refinance State aid measures that were already
notified to and approved by the Commission, bringing the total budget of the
Wirtschaftsstabilisierungsfonds to €600 billion. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in
charge of competition policy, said: “In these difficult times, we continue to work in close cooperation
with Member States to find workable solutions to facilitate the access to finance of companies
affected by the coronavirus outbreak, in line with EU rules. The German fund aims to unlock €500
billion of liquidity and capital support. The scheme ensures that the State is sufficiently remunerated
for the risk taxpayers assume, and, as regards recapitalisation measures, that there are incentives
for the State to exit as soon as possible, and that the support comes with adequate conditions,
including a ban on dividends, bonus payments as well as further measures to limit distortions of
competition.” The full press release is available here. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.
+32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €25 million Belgian aid to support the ground handling
service provider Aviapartner in the context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €25 million Belgian individual aid measure to support
Aviapartner, a ground handling service provider at Brussels National Airport (Zaventem). The
measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The measure provides aid in the
form of a convertible loan. The aim of the recapitalisation measure is to ensure that Aviapartner has
sufficient liquidity to continue its operations. Aviapartner is an essential operator at Brussels National
Airport (Belgium's main airport). A failure of Aviapartner would cause major disturbance to the
Belgian economy and connectivity. The Commission found that the measure notified by Belgium is in
line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the measure will not
exceed the minimum needed to ensure the viability of Aviapartner and will not go beyond restoring
its capital position to before the coronavirus outbreak, (ii) the scheme provides an adequate
remuneration for the State; (iii) the conditions of the measures incentivise beneficiaries and/or their
owners to repay the support as early as possible; (v) safeguards are in place to make sure that
beneficiaries do not unduly benefit from the recapitalisation aid by the State to the detriment of fair
competition in the Single Market, such as an acquisition ban to avoid aggressive commercial
expansion. 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.57637 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 approves €23.5 million Hungarian wage subsidy scheme to support
the aviation sector in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a HUF 8 billion (approximately €23.5 million) Hungarian

wage subsidy scheme to support the aviation sector, which has been heavily affected by the
coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The
public support will take the form of exemptions (amounting to up to 23% of the monthly gross salary
paid to the employees) from the employers' obligation to pay social security, vocational training and
rehabilitation contributions. The scheme will be open to employers that are active in the
manufacturing of air and spacecraft machinery, repair and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft,
and air passenger transport, provided that they have experienced a significant reduction in their
business activities due to the coronavirus outbreak in the period of April and May 2020. The scheme
aims at alleviating the employers' costs and avoiding lay-offs and at helping to ensure that
employees can remain in continuous employment during the period for which the aid is granted. The
Commission found that the Hungarian scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary
Framework. In particular, the amount of the aid will be lower than 80% of the employees' monthly
gross salary and will be granted for a period of no longer than 12 months. 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. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available
under the case number SA.57767 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 approves €25 million Dutch subsidised loans scheme to support
small and micro companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €25 million Dutch scheme providing subsidised interest
rates for loans to small and micro companies affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was
approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The scheme will be managed by Qredits, a non-
profit microcredit provider.The measure aims at ensuring access to liquidity for small and micro
companies active in all sectors that are affected by the outbreak, thus helping them to preserve the
continuity of economic activity. The Commission found that the Dutch measure sets out conditions
that are in line with the Temporary Framework. In particular: i) only new loans are eligible; ii) the
aid amount is limited to €25 000 per company; iii) companies that were in difficulty before 31
December 2019 are not eligible; and iv) there are safeguards in place to ensure that the aid is
passed on to the final beneficiaries. The Commission concluded that the measure isnecessary,
appropriate and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in
line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework.
On this basis, the Commission has 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.57850 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 the acquisition of NIBC by Blackstone*
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger regulation, the acquisition of NIBC
Holding N.V. (“NIBC”) of the Netherlands by The Blackstone Group Inc. (“Blackstone”) of the U.S.
NIBC is a mid-sized bank which offers selected corporate and retail banking products and services.
Blackstone is a global alternative asset manager. The Commission concluded that the proposed
transaction would raise no competition concerns as there are no horizontal overlaps or vertical links
between the activities of NIBC and Blackstone. 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.9828. (For more information: Arianna Podesta –
Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of NGD by Colony and PSP
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over Next Generation Data Ltd ("NGD") of the UK by Colony Capital, Inc. (“Colony”) of the
U.S. and Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“PSP”) of Canada. NGD is active in the design,
building, operation and ongoing management of data centre solutions in the UK. Colony Capital
manages a global portfolio composed of, amongst other, investments in digital infrastructure,
including macro cell towers, data centres, small cell networks and fibre networks. PSP is the pension

investment manager of the pension plans of the Canadian Federal Public Service, the Canadian
Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Reserve Force. The Commission concluded that
the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because sufficient competitors will
remain active in the markets where the activities of the companies overlap, either horizontally or
vertically. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More
information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under
the case number M.9843. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni
– Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Victims of crime: Commissioner Reynders meets with Belgium-based victims associations
to discuss new EU Strategy
This afternoon at the Maison de Justice in Brussels, Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, will
meet with victims' support associations. The meeting follows the publication on 24 June 2020 of the
first ever EU Strategy on Victims' Rights. The main objective of the strategy is to ensure that all
victims of all crime, no matter where in the EU or in what circumstances the crime took place, can
fully rely on their rights. Commissioner Reynders will present the Strategy to the associations, and
engage in a discussion with participants on victims' rights in the European Union. At 17:00 CET, the
Commissioner will give a short statement to the press which will be available on EbS. (For more
information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253; Alice Hobbs - Tel.: +32 229 80829; Katarzyna
Kolanko - Tel.:+32 229 63444)

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
*Updated on 08-07-2020, at 14:20
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