European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 18 / 01 / 2021
Brussels, 18 January 2021
Nouveau Bauhaus européen: la Commission lance la phase de conception
La Commission a lancé aujourd'hui la phase de conception de l'initiative relative au Nouveau
Bauhaus européen, annoncée par la présidente von der Leyen dans son discours sur l'état de
l'Union de 2020. Le Nouveau Bauhaus européen est un projet environnemental, économique et
culturel, qui vise à combiner conception, durabilité, accessibilité, caractère abordable et
investissement afin de contribuer à la réalisation du Pacte vert pour l'Europe. Les valeurs
fondamentales du Nouveau Bauhaus européen sont donc la durabilité, l'esthétique et l'ouverture à
tous. La phase de conception a pour objectif d'utiliser un processus de co-création pour définir le
concept en explorant des idées et en déterminant les besoins et les défis les plus urgents, et mettre
en relation les parties intéressées. Dans le cadre de la phase de conception, la Commission lancera,
au printemps prochain, la première édition du prix du Nouveau Bauhaus européen. La présidente de
la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a déclaré : « Le Nouveau Bauhaus européen est
un projet porteur d'espoir pour explorer des moyens de mieux vivre ensemble après la pandémie. Il
s'agit de combiner durabilité et style, afin de rapprocher le pacte vert pour l'Europe des esprits et
des foyers des citoyens. Nous avons besoin de tous les esprits créatifs : qu'il s'agisse de
concepteurs, d'artistes, de scientifiques, d'architectes ou de citoyens, pour faire du Nouveau Bauhaus
européen un succès. » Dans les mois à venir, la Commission décernera des prix à des exemples
existants qui illustrent l'intégration des valeurs essentielles de l'initiative et qui peuvent inspirer les
discussions sur les lieux où nous vivons et leur transformation. Le communiqué de presse est
disponible en ligne, et le site web du Nouveau Bauhaus européen est ici. Vous trouverez ici le
discours de la commissaire Gabriel, et ici celui de la commissaire Ferreira. (Pour plus
d'informations: Vivian Loonela – Tél.: +32 229 66712; Sinéad Meehan-van Druten – Tél.: +32 229
84094)

EU Cohesion policy: €60 million for Portugal in clean and efficient public transport in
Coimbra
The European Commission has approved an investment of €60 million from the Cohesion Fund to
convert an old railway line into a route for electric buses connecting Coimbra with the municipalities
of Lousã and Miranda do Corvo and the village of Serpins, in Portugal. The new line will also make it
easier for people to travel between central Coimbra, the hospitals and university in the northern part
of the city, and the peripheral areas to the southeast. With 13 million passengers per year estimated
to use the new transport system, the project will help reduce congestion, traffic-related noise and
carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira,
commented: “This project will provide citizens from Coimbra and the Coimbra region with much
deserved clean, safe and efficient transport services. It will offer a more attractive public transport
that will reduce travel times and pollution, and improve comfort and the quality of air.” The new
buses will form part of a multimodal public transport system under a single tariff and ticketing
system that will make them more attractive to use. The project is expected to be operational in early
2024. 2021 being the ‘EU Year of Rail' will lead to a lot of regional and local improvements in the
area of transport. More information regarding EU funded investments in Portugal is available on the
Open Data Platform. (For more information: Vivian Loonela– Tel.: +32 229 66712, Veronica Favalli -
Tel.: +32 229 87269)

Coronavirus response: €45 million to support Opolskie region in Poland in fighting the
pandemic
The European Commission has adopted the modification of the operational programme for the
Opolskie region in Poland allowing for the reallocation of €45 million to tackle the effects of the
coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Opolskie is
joining the other Polish regions in making the best use of EU resources to support Member States

tackling the health, social and economic adverse effects of the pandemic. We are making every effort
to invest EU funds where they are most needed.” Around €19 million will be directed providing
working capital to SMEs, while nearly €26 million will support the setting up of social couriers for
dependent, lonely and people with disabilities as well as the purchase of new equipment for
hospitals. Lastly, funds will be reallocated to strengthen digital education in the region. The
modification was possible thanks to the exceptional flexibility guaranteed under the Coronavirus
Response Investment Initiative (CRII) and Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus
(CRII+), which allow Member States to use Cohesion policy funding to support the sectors most
exposed to the pandemic. For more information on the EU Cohesion policy response to the
coronavirus crisis visit the Coronavirus Dashboard. (For more information: Vivian Loonela – Tel.: +32
229 66712, Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269)

La Commission et la présidence portugaise annoncent la tenue d'un sommet social à Porto
en mai 2021
Le Premier ministre portugais, M. Costa, et la présidente de la Commission européenne, Mme von
der Leyen, ont invité les chefs d'État ou de gouvernement de l'Union, les institutions européennes,
les partenaires sociaux et d'autres acteurs clés à un sommet social qui se tiendra à Porto le 7 mai
2021. Cette invitation coïncidait avec la visite de la présidente et des membres du Collège des
commissaires à Lisbonne vendredi dernier pour le lancement de la présidence portugaise du Conseil
de l'Union européenne. Le sommet social se concentrera sur la manière de renforcer la dimension
sociale de l'Europe pour relever les défis du changement climatique et de la transition numérique,
afin de garantir l'égalité des chances pour tous et de ne laisser personne sur le bord de la route.
L'organisation de ce sommet est inspirée par le plan d'action de la Commission pour la mise en
œuvre du socle européen des droits sociaux, qui doit être présenté au cours des prochaines
semaines. La présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, a déclaré :
« L'Europe, ce sont les Européens. Ce sont les travailleurs, les petites entreprises. Ce sont les
possibilités offertes à la jeune génération, c'est la solidarité qui joue en temps de crise. C'est
pourquoi le sommet social de Porto, en mai, est si important. Nous allons envoyer un signal politique
très fort: l'Union européenne favorise une relance qui met les gens et leur bien-être au centre. » Le
sommet social sera organisé autour de deux événements. Le 7 mai 2021, une conférence de haut
niveau sera organisée, axée sur le plan d'action pour la mise en œuvre du socle européen des droits
sociaux, et sera suivie d'une réunion informelle des chefs d'État ou de gouvernement le 8 mai. Une
grande partie du sommet social sera retransmise en direct, ce qui donnera aux citoyens de toute
l'Europe l'occasion de suivre les débats qui auront des répercussions sur leur vie quotidienne,
notamment en ce qui concerne l'emploi, les conditions de travail équitables, l'égalité des chances,
l'amélioration des soins de santé et la protection sociale. Le communiqué de presse est disponible en
ligne. (Pour plus d'informations : Marta Wieczorek – Tél.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tél.:
+32 229 83951)

State aid: Commission approves Greek public funding for construction and operation of
North section of E65 motorway
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Greek public funding of €442
million for the construction of the North section of the Central Greece Motorway (E65). The
Commission also approved support estimated at €38 million to cover the operating and maintenance
expenses of the section, in case the toll revenues are not sufficient. This will allow the completion
and operation of part of the Trans-European road network, without causing undue distortions of
competition. In May 2019, Greece notified the Commission of its plan to grant €442 million of public
support to Kentriki Odos S.A. for the construction of the 70.5 km North section of the Central Greece
Motorway (E65). Kentriki Odos S.A. is also the concessionaire of the Middle and South section of the
E65 motorway.The 180 km long Greek E65 motorway connects the Athens-Thessaloniki motorway
(PATHE) with the Egnatia motorway. Furthermore, Greece notified its plans to support the operation
of the North section by covering the operating and maintenance expenses in case the toll revenues of
the section are not sufficient. The operating support is estimated at €38 million. The Commission
assessed the measures under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union (TFEU), which allows State aid to facilitate the development of certain economic activities or of
certain economic areas. The Commission found that: the aid will contribute to the development of
the economic areas which the E65 motorway mainly serves: Central Greece, Thessaly and Western
Macedonia; the support measures are necessary and proportionate for the implementation of the
project. The Commission therefore concluded that the public funding granted for the construction
and operation of the North section of the E65 motorway is in line with EU State aid rules. Executive
Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: "The construction of the

North section of the Central Greece motorway will complete the Greek part of the E65, contributing
to the development of the areas concerned. This decision enables Greece to support the construction
of this important infrastructure, which is part of the Trans European road network." The full press
release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia
Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves prolongation and €200 million budget increase of German
scheme to support research and development
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the modification of a German
scheme to support research and development (‘R&D'), the ‘European Recovery Programme -
mezzanine innovation'. The scheme provides senior and sub-ordinated loans under favourable
conditions for the long-term financing of R&D projects. The current version of the scheme was
approved in June 2016 (SA.39550) and was set to expire at the end of 2020. Germany notified the
following modifications to the scheme: (i) a prolongation until 30 June 2021; and (ii) an increase by
€200 million of the overall budget of the scheme, from €7.5 billion to €7.7 billion. The provisions of
the original scheme remain unchanged. The Commission assessed the measure under the 2014
Framework for State aid for research and development and innovation (RDI) and concluded that the
scheme will continue to provide long-term financing for R&D projects in a way that is compatible
with the internal market. 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.60182 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website, once any confidentiality
issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia
Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves €8 million Slovak scheme to support professional sport
clubs in the context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €8 million Slovak scheme to support sport clubs
participating in professional leagues in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was
approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct
grants to companies that have experienced a significant decline in revenue due to the coronavirus
outbreak and the measures imposed by the Government to limit the spread of the virus. The scheme
aims to address the liquidity needs of the beneficiaries and to help them to continue their activities
during and after the outbreak. The Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions
set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the support (i) will not exceed €800,000 per
company; and (ii) will be granted until no later than 30 June 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. 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
numbers SA.60212 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any
confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229
87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Drax Generation by Vitol
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Drax
Generation Enterprise Limited (‘Drax Generation') of the UK by Vitol Holding B.V. (‘Vitol') of the
Netherlands. Drax Generation is an electricity generation and wholesale supply company that owns
and operates four combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants in the UK. Vitol is an energy and
commodities trading company which trades and distributes energy products globally, and which
generates electricity at one plant in the UK. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition
would raise no competition concerns given the companies' limited combined market positions
resulting from the proposed transaction and the continued presence of a number of strong players in
the market. 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.10073. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

Statement from the President of the European Commission following the detention of
Alexei Navalny yesterday in Moscow
This morning, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, issued the
following statement following the detention of Alexei Navalny yesterday in Moscow: “I condemn the
detention of Alexei Navalny yesterday by the Russian authorities, upon his return to Russia. The
Russian authorities must immediately release him and ensure his safety. Detention of political
opponents is against Russia's international commitments. We also continue to expect a thorough and
independent investigation on the attack on Alexei Navalny's life. We will monitor the situation
closely.” The statement is available in English, French and German. (For more information: Eric
Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Peter Stano – Tel.: +32 229
54553)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Eurogroup and Economic and Financial Affairs meetings, 18-19 January 2021
Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis, Commissioner Gentiloni and Commissioner McGuinness
will represent the Commission at the Eurogroup and Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN)
meetings, taking place via videoconference today and tomorrow. The Eurogroup will hold a thematic
discussion on macroeconomic imbalances in the euro area, discussing the extent to which the
COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated existing macroeconomic imbalances and the policy options
available to respond to these imbalances. Participants will discuss progress with the preparation of
the national recovery and resilience plans. Switching to an inclusive format, the Eurogroup will hold
an exchange of views on the prospects for future relations with the United States in the monetary
and financial area. Lawrence H. Summers, Harvard professor and former United States Secretary of
the Treasury, has been invited to share his insights and experience with the Eurogroup.
Commissioner Gentiloni will represent the Commission at the press conference following the
meeting. Tomorrow, the ECOFIN will begin with a presentation from the Portuguese presidency of its
work programme on economic and financial matters. The Commission will present its communication
on tackling non-performing loans. Participants will hold an exchange of views on the conclusions on
the 2021 Alert Mechanism Report and the draft recommendation on the economic policy of the euro
area. There will also be a discussion on the state of play and implementation of the Recovery and
Resilience Facility following the provisional agreement on the regulation establishing the Facility in
December. A live-streamed press conference with Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will follow
the meeting. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Daniel Ferrie – Tel.:
+32 229 86500; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229
64976)

Commissioner Johansson takes part in the Global Forum on Migration and Development
Summit
Today, Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, is participating in the opening ceremony of
the Summit of the Global Forum on Migration and Development. This year's virtual event, hosted by
the United Arab Emirates, will focus on ‘The future of human mobility: innovative partnerships for
sustainable development'. The Summit will run until 26 January. Topics that will be discussed
include the governance of labour migration in a changing employment landscape, promoting skills,
new technologies for empowerment, addressing gaps in migrant protection, as well as different
approaches to address irregular migration and fostering partnerships. Commissioner Johansson
said: “A great global challenge we are facing right now is the coronavirus pandemic, its economic
fall-out and the risk this poses to political stability throughout the world. To address this, we must
work together. Under the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, I want to build comprehensive,
mutually beneficial and tailor-made partnerships to manage migration jointly including fighting

smuggling and creating economic opportunities in everyone's interest.” The Commissioner's speech
is available here. More detailed information about the Summit can be found here. (For more
information: Adalbert Jahnz - Tel.: + 32 229 53156; Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura
Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721)

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

Eurostat press releases
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