European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 10 / 11 / 2020
Brussels, 10 November 2020
La Commission se félicite de l'accord sur la modernisation des contrôles des exportations
de l'UE
La Commission se félicite de l'accord intervenu hier entre le Parlement européen et le Conseil sur sa
proposition de modernisation des contrôles des exportations de biens et technologies à double usage
sensibles de l'UE. Les modifications convenues aujourd'hui permettront de moderniser et de renforcer
la panoplie d'outils de contrôle des exportations de l'UE afin de réagir efficacement à l'évolution des
risques en matière de sécurité et aux technologies émergentes. Grâce au nouveau règlement, l'UE
peut désormais protéger efficacement ses intérêts et ses valeurs et, en particulier, lutter contre le
risque de violation des droits de l'homme lié au commerce des technologies de cybersurveillance
sans accord préalable au niveau multilatéral. Elle renforce également la capacité de l'UE à contrôler
les flux commerciaux dans les technologies nouvelles et émergentes sensibles. Valdis Dombrovskis,
vice-président exécutif de la Commission et commissaire au commerce, a déclaré : « Je me réjouis
vivement de cet accord visant à améliorer nos contrôles des technologies à double usage. Celles-ci
peuvent avoir une incidence considérable et constituer un risque pour la sécurité nationale et
internationale, tandis que les cybertechnologies peuvent conduire à des violations des droits de
l'homme. Nous allons maintenant mettre en place des contrôles rigoureux des exportations afin
d'atténuer les abus des technologies à double usage et les exportateurs devront respecter les
obligations de diligence raisonnable. La Commission travaillera maintenant en étroite collaboration
avec les États membres et le Parlement européen pour mettre en œuvre efficacement le nouveau
règlement. Nous allons également interagir étroitement avec l'industrie, qui est la « première ligne
de défense » pour se prémunir contre les proliférateurs et les autres acteurs malveillants. » Plus
d'informations sont disponibles dans le communiqué de presse. (Pour plus d'informations: Miriam
Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Sophie Dirven – Tel.: +32 229 67228)

Boeing WTO case: The EU puts in place countermeasures against U.S. exports
The European Commission's regulation increasing tariffs on U.S. exports into the EU worth $4 billion
was published in the Official Journal of the EU yesterday. The countermeasures have been agreed by
EU Member States since the U.S. has not yet provided the basis for a negotiated settlement, which
would include an immediate removal of U.S. tariffs on EU exports in the Airbus WTO case. The World
Trade Organization (WTO) formally authorised the EU on 26 October to take such countermeasures
against illegal U.S. subsidies to aircraft maker Boeing. The measures will take effect as from today.
The European Commission stands ready to work with the U.S. to settle this dispute and also to agree
on long-term disciplines on aircraft subsidies. Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works
for People and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “We have made clear all along
that we want to settle this long-running issue. Regrettably, due to lack of progress with the U.S., we
had no other choice but to impose these countermeasures. The EU is consequently exercising its
legal rights under the WTO's recent decision. We call on the U.S. to agree to both sides dropping
existing countermeasures with immediate effect, so we can quickly put this behind us. Removing
these tariffs is a win-win for both sides, especially with the pandemic wreaking havoc on our
economies. We now have an opportunity to reboot our transatlantic cooperation and work together
towards our shared goals.” You will find more information here. (For more information: Miriam Garcia
Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Sophie Dirven – Tel.: +32 229 67228)

European Commission welcomes the European Court of Auditors' decision to sign off the EU
accounts for 13th year in a row
The Commission has today welcomed the decision of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) to give
the EU annual accounts a clean bill of health for the 13th year in a row, finding them true and fair. In
line with previous years, the Court has also acknowledged the revenue part of the EU Budget was
well managed. While taking note that the ECA has decided to modify its opinion on the regularity of

expenditure this year, the Commission welcomes the Court's assessment of the EU budget in several
key policy areas. For example, in the field of cohesion and natural resources, which also includes
agriculture, the budget was spent in a more correct way than in the previous year. In 2019, 55% of
the audited expenditure was represented by natural resources and administrative expenditure. In
these areas, the estimated level of error identified by the Court was even below the ECA's materiality
level. This is the level above which auditors would conclude that spending is affected by a significant
level of error. Overall, the level of error estimated by the Court on EU expenditure remains stable
compared to last year. More information in the press release and in the factsheet. (For more
information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 460 760296; Claire Joawn – Tel.: +32 460 756859)

Circular Plastics Alliance: A step closer to 10 million tonnes of recycled plastics
Today, the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA), which gathers 245 public and private actors covering the
whole plastics value chains, has delivered its first actions. Those delivered actions pursue the
Alliance's objective: to reach the target of 10 million tonnes of recycled plastics used in products by
2025. They include a work plan on design-for-recycling of plastic products, which lists 19 plastic
products that the Alliance will make more recyclable; a report on collected and sorted plastic waste
in the EU, presenting the current state of play; and an R&D agenda for circular plastics.
Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, said: “We need concerted action by all actors
along the value chain to deliver the circular economy for plastics. Despite the impact of coronavirus
in particular on plastics recyclers and plastics converters, the business case remains clear. I welcome
the commitment and great work done by the Circular Plastics Alliance to achieve the 10 million
tonnes target.” As a next step, in January 2021, the CPA will deliver three more actions, including a
monitoring system to track the plastics materials flows in Europe; a report on the untapped potential
for more collection, sorting and recycling of plastic waste and the necessary improvements to reach
the 10 million tonnes target; and a mapping of the related investment needs. The European
Commission announced the launch of the Circular Plastics Alliance in December 2018. The launch
followed the preliminary assessment of industry voluntary pledges for more recycled plastics. It
showed that pledges from suppliers of recycled plastics were sufficient to reach and even exceed the
EU target of 10 million tonnes of recycled plastics used in Europe by 2025. However, pledges
received from users of recycled plastics (such as plastics converters and manufacturers) were not
sufficient, and action was necessary to bridge the gap between the supply and demand. For more
information see here. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica
Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Équipe Europe : L'Union européenne soutient la réponse du Sahel à la pandémie de
coronavirus avec 92 millions d'euros
La Commission européenne a annoncé hier le déboursement d'un appui budgétaire de 92 millions
d'euros pour renforcer la réponse du Burkina Faso, de la Mauritanie, du Niger et du Tchad à la
propagation du coronavirus. Il s'agit d'offrir des soins de santé de qualité à la population et réduire
les répercussions économiques et sociales de la pandémie. Le haut représentant/vice-président,
Josep Borrell, a souligné : « Aujourd'hui nous réitérons notre engagement à renforcer notre
mobilisation pour le Sahel dans sa lutte contre la pandémie. Au-delà d'une réponse à court-terme
visant à répondre aux besoins urgents des populations, notre objectif est aussi de d'ores et déjà
réduire les répercussions économiques et sociales de la pandémie dont l'Afrique en général et le
Sahel en particulier risquent de souffrir de façon disproportionnée. » La commissaire chargée des
partenariats internationaux, Jutta Urpilainen, a déclaré : « L'Union européenne continue à se
mobiliser en tant qu'« Équipe Europe » pour décupler les efforts déployés par les autorités des pays
du G5 Sahel pour faire face à la crise du coronavirus. La mise en œuvre de ces fonds de manière
transparente et inclusive contribuera à améliorer les soins de santé pour les populations et la
situation socio-économique d'autant plus fragilisée par la pandémie. » Dans le cadre de la crise du
coronavirus, l'Union européenne et ses États-membres ont déjà mobilisé 449 millions d'euros pour
les cinq pays du Sahel. Depuis 2014, les fonds de développement européens bénéficiant le Burkina
Faso, la Mauritanie, le Niger et le Tchad s'élèvent à 4,6 milliards d'euros. Plus d'informations sont
disponibles dans le communiqué de presse. Pour plus de détails, consultez le site web consacré à la
réponse globale de l'UE à la crise du coronavirus. (Pour plus d'informations: Ana Pisonero – Tél.: +32
229 54320; Nabila Massrali – Tél.: +32 229 88093; Daniel Puglisi - Tél.: +32 229 69140)

Common Agricultural Policy reform: First trilogue starts today
This afternoon, Executive Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Wojciechowski will
represent the Commission at the first trilogue on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform. The

trilogue will cover all three proposals - the Strategic Plan Regulation, the Horizontal Regulation and
the Common Market Organisation (CMO) Amending Regulation. The European Parliament, the Council
and the Commission, will have the opportunity to put forward their positions on the key elements of
the three Regulations, and agree on the working arrangements and indicative timeline that will apply
to the ensuing political trilogues and preparatory technical meetings. The Commission considers the
CAP to be one of the central policies for the European Green Deal and it is thus steering the process
at the highest level in close coordination with other policy areas. The Commission is determined to
play its full role in the CAP trilogue negotiations, as an honest broker between the co-legislators, and
as a driving force for greater sustainability to deliver on the European Green Deal objectives. The aim
is to agree on a Common Agricultural Policy that is fit for purpose and effectively responds to the
higher societal expectations in terms of climate action, protection of biodiversity, environmental
sustainability and a fair income for farmers. The Commission presented its proposals for a future CAP
in June 2018, introducing a more flexible, performance and results-based approach that takes into
account local conditions and needs, while increasing EU level ambitions in terms of sustainability.
Higher environmental and climate ambitions is reflected by a new green architecture including the
new eco-schemes system. The Commission highlighted the compatibility of its proposals with the
European Green Deal in a report published in May 2020. The European Parliament and Council agreed
on their negotiating position respectively on 23 and 21 October 2020, enabling the start of the
trilogues. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours –
Tel.: +32 229 13963)

State aid: Commission approves modified Hungarian schemes to support the economy in
the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has found the modification of several existing Hungarian State aid
schemes to support the economy in the context of the coronavirus outbreak to be in line with the
Temporary Framework. The original schemes were approved by the Commission under case numbers
SA.56926, SA.56994, SA.57121, SA.57064, SA.57198, SA.57329, SA.57269, SA.57285, SA.57468
and SA.58202. Hungary notified certain modifications to the original schemes, in particular (i) the
extension of the duration of the schemes until 30 June 2021; (ii) the extension of the initial
deadlines for submitting applications; and (iii) an increase in the budgets of the schemes, by a total
of €3.1 billion. The Commission concluded that the schemes, as modified, are necessary, appropriate
and proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with
Article 107(3)(b) TFEU as interpreted by the Temporary Framework. The measure SA.58202, as
modified, contributes to the development of certain economic activities, is appropriate and necessary
to address the health crisis pursuant to Article 107(3)(c) TFEU and does not affect trading conditions
and competition to an extent contrary to the common interest. On this basis, the Commission
approved the measures 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.59306 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 compensation to energy-intensive companies in Czechia
for indirect emission costs
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Czech plans to partially
compensate energy-intensive companies for higher electricity prices resulting from indirect emission
costs under the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). The scheme will cover indirect emission costs
incurred in the year 2020, and has a provisional budget of approximately €88 million. The measure
will benefit companies active in Czechia in sectors facing significant electricity costs and which are
particularly exposed to international competition. The compensation will be granted through a partial
refund of indirect ETS costs to eligible companies. The Commission assessed the measure under EU
State aid rules, in particular its Guidelines on certain State aid measures in the context of the
greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme post-2012 and found that it is in line with the
requirements of the Guidelines. In particular, the scheme will help avoid an increase in global
greenhouse gas emissions due to companies relocating to countries outside the EU with less
stringent environmental regulation. Furthermore, the Commission concluded that the aid granted is
limited to the minimum necessary. More information will be available on the Commission's
competition website, in the State Aid Register under the case number SA. 58608. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears the acquisition of joint control over Infoblox by Warburg
Pincus and Vista
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control of Infoblox, Inc. by Warburg Pincus LLC and Vista Equity Partners Management (‘Vista'), all
three of the U.S. Infoblox is an IT automation and security company. It provides software and
appliances that automate the assignment of IP addresses and manage the Domain Name System
(‘DNS') and DNS security and cloud network automation solutions. Infoblox is primarily active in the
U.S. and only has minor operations in the European Economic Area (‘EEA'). Warburg Pincus is a
private equity investment firm that manages a family of funds in a variety of sectors. Vista is a
private investment firm, primarily investing in companies providing IT services. The Commission
concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that Infoblox has
negligible actual or foreseen activities within the territory of the EEA and given the limited horizontal
overlaps between the activities of the companies. 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.9975. (For more information: Arianna Podesta –
Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Western Balkans Summit in Sofia: Important steps to advance regional cooperation to
boost socio-economic recovery and convergence with the EU
Today, Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi is taking part remotely in the Sofia Summit, co-chaired by
Bulgaria and North Macedonia within the Berlin Process. President of the Commission, Ursula von
der Leyen and High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell also addressed the gathering via
video-message. The initiative gathers the six Western Balkan partners, nine EU Member States and
regional organisations. The European Commission welcomes the commitment by the Western Balkan
leaders to further strengthen regional cooperation as a way to advance on their European path. The
region's positive response to the Economic and Investment Plan, its commitment to enhanced
connectivity and the expected endorsement this afternoon of key initiatives such as the
establishment of a Common Regional Market, the launch of a Green Agenda for the Western Balkans
and further support to Roma integration will help accelerate the post-pandemic recovery by
stimulating sustainable economic growth. Leaders at the summit are also to welcome the 2020
connectivity package with six projects in the areas of sustainable transport and clean energy
presented by the Commission under the Western Balkans Investment Framework. This package
constitutes the first step towards the implementation of the flagship projects of the Economic and
Investment Plan, while at the same time completes the delivery of the EU's 2015 pledge to deliver
€1 billion in support of connectivity in the region. A press release will be published after the Summit
here, while Commissioner Várhelyi's intervention will be available here. Videomessages of the
President and HRVP will be available on EbS. (For more information: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 229
54320; Peter Stano – Tel.: +32 229 54553; Zoï Muletier – Tel.: +32 229 94306)

Le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis participe à la réunion des ministres de l'Union pour
la Méditerranée sur le commerce régional et la relance économique
Les 42 pays membres de l'Union pour la Méditerranée (UpM) se réuniront aujourd'hui par
vidéoconférence pour la 11e conférence des ministres du commerce. L'objectif principal de la
conférence est de renforcer les liens commerciaux dans la zone euro-méditerranéenne en tant
qu'élément essentiel de la relance économique régionale. La conférence ministérielle se tiendra sous
la coprésidence de Valdis Dombrovskis, vice-président exécutif de la Commission européenne et
commissaire chargé du commerce, et Eng. Maha Ali, ministre jordanien de l'industrie, du commerce
et de l'approvisionnement, en présence de M. Nasser Kamel, secrétaire général de l'UpM. Un
communiqué de presse contenant de plus amples informations sera disponible en ligne à l'issue de la
réunion. (Pour plus d'informations: Miriam Garcia Ferrer — Tél.: + 32 229 99075; Sophie Dirven —
Tél.: + 32 229 67228)

Annual awards ceremony for the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage with Europa Nostra
This afternoon, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya
Gabriel, will co-host the online annual awards ceremony for the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage with
Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage network. All 21 winners of this year's European
Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, announced in May, will be honoured at the event. The
Commissioner will give a welcome address and announce the three Grand Prix awards, selected by a
jury of experts and the Board of Europa Nostra from the 21 winning achievements, as well as the two
winners of the ILUCIDARE Special Prizes, selected from the six shortlisted projects for excellence in
heritage-led innovation and international relations (co-funded by the Creative Europe and Horizon
2020 programmes). Hermann Parzinger, Executive President of Europa Nostra, will announce the
winner of the Public Choice Award, selected by an online vote. The European Heritage
Awards / Europa Nostra Awards were launched by the European Commission in 2002 and are funded
by the EU's Creative Europe programme. More information on the winners, including the three Grand
Prix laureates will be available here at 18:30 CET today. (For more information: Susanne Conze –
Tel.: +32 229 80236; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Eurostat press releases
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