European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 25 / 05 / 2021
Brussels, 25 May 2021
Commission disburses €14.1 billion under SURE to 12 Member States
The European Commission has today disbursed €14.14 billion to 12 EU Member States in the seventh
instalment of financial support under the SURE instrument. As part of today's operations, Belgium
has received €2 billion, Bulgaria €511 million, Cyprus €124 million, Greece €2.54 billion, Spain €3.37
billion, Italy €751 million, Lithuania €355 million, Latvia €113 million, Malta €177 million, Poland
€1.56 billion, Portugal €2.41 billion and Estonia €230 million. This is the first time that Bulgaria and
Estonia are receiving funding under the instrument. The other ten EU countries have already
benefitted from loans under SURE. These SURE loans will assist Member States in addressing sudden
increases in public expenditure to preserve employment following the coronavirus pandemic.
Specifically, they will help Member States cover the costs directly related to the financing of national
short-time work schemes, and other similar measures that they have put in place as a response to
the coronavirus pandemic, including for the self-employed. Today's disbursements follow the
issuance of the seventh social bond under the EU SURE instrument, which attracted a considerable
interest by investors amid challenging market conditions in recent days. With this SURE
disbursement, the EU has provided nearly €90 billion in back-to-back loans. All EU Member States
which have asked to benefit from the scheme have received part or all of the requested amount. The
overview of the amounts disbursed so far is available online, as are the full amounts per Member
State. Overall, 19 EU Member States are due to receive a total of €94.3 billion in financial support
under SURE, following approval by the Council of the European Union based on a Commission
proposal. Countries can still submit requests to receive financial support under SURE which has an
overall firepower of up to €100 billion. The full press release is available online. (For more
information: Balazs Ujvari Tel.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

Global leaders adopt agenda to overcome COVID-19 crisis and avoid future pandemics
On Friday 21 May, G20 leaders committed to a series of actions to accelerate the end of the COVID-
19 crisis everywhere and better prepare for future pandemics. The Global Health Summit was co-
hosted in Rome by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Italy's Prime Minister Mario
Draghi, as G20 chair. The G20 underlined the importance of increased and diversified manufacturing
and recognised the role of intellectual property in ensuring equity. In that respect, the EU intends to
facilitate the implementation of those flexibilities by putting forward a proposal in the WTO, in
particular on the use of compulsory licenses including for exports to all countries that lack
manufacturing capacity. The G20 clearly stressed the need to ensure equitable access to vaccines
and to support low and middle-income countries. The leaders further agreed on the need for early
warning information, surveillance and trigger systems, which will be interoperable. Team Europe
presented to the summit concrete contributions to respond to this call, including its work with
industrial partners, which are manufacturing vaccines in Europe, to rapidly make available vaccine
doses for low and middle-income countries. Team Europe aims at donating 100 million doses of
vaccines to low and middle-income countries until the end of the year, in particular through COVAX.
So far, the EU has exported as many vaccines as it has received for its citizens, and Team Europe has
mobilised over €40 billion to support partner countries worldwide to tackle the COVID-19 crisis and
mitigate its socioeconomic consequences, as shown in this factsheet. To boost manufacturing
capacity in Africa and access to vaccines, medicines and health technologies, Team Europe launched
on Friday a €1 billion initiative. A press release and factsheet on this initiative are available online,
along with a press release on a new financing platform to support health security and resilience in
Africa. For more information on the Global Health Summit see the full press release and the Rome
Declaration, President von der Leyen's opening address at the Global Health Summit and at the
pre-Summit, the main recommendations from the civil society consultation and the report of the
Scientific Panel. Photos and videos of the summit are available on EbS. (For more information: Eric
Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 229
54320; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Politique de cohésion de l'UE: 286,5 millions d'euros pour la France, Malte et la Slovénie
pour lutter contre l'impact social et économique de la crise des coronavirus
La Commission a approuvé la modification de cinq programmes opérationnels (PO) dans le cadre de
REACT-EU afin d'augmenter de 286,5 millions d'euros le financement disponible pour les
investissements en France, à Malte et en Slovénie pour contribuer à lutter contre les effets de la
pandémie de coronavirus et préparer la reprise. En France, les révisions permettent l'ajout de 166,4
millions d'euros supplémentaires aux PO ‘Aquitaine, Limousin et Poitou-Charentes' pour renforcer la
résilience des systèmes de santé régionaux, l'économie numérique et le tourisme, ainsi que la
transition environnementale et la mobilité durable. Il apportera en même temps un soutien financier
aux petites et moyennes entreprises, à la formation professionnelle des demandeurs d'emploi et la
création d'emplois, ainsi que à l'apprentissage et l'orientation professionnelle. À Malte, la
modification du ‘programme du Fonds social européen de Malte' générera 111,2 millions d'euros
supplémentaires qui seront investis dans la sauvegarde de 37 500 emplois grâce au financement des
programmes de chômage partiel fournissant une aide au revenu des salariés touchés par la crise.
Cela s'ajoute à la réattribution de 53 millions d'euros de financement de la cohésion vers les besoins
pressants dus à la pandémie de décembre 2020 dans le cadre de la Coronavirus Response
Investment Initiative (CRII) et Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative Plus (CRII +). En
Slovénie, le PO de soutien du Fonds européen d'aide aux plus démunis (FEAD) recevra 8,9 millions
d'euros supplémentaires en 2021 pour fournir de la nourriture et d'autres mesures
d'accompagnement telles que des conseils individuels pour atténuer l'impact de la crise du
coronavirus sur les personnes les plus vulnérables. REACT-EU fait partie de NextGenerationEU et
fournit un financement supplémentaire de 50,6 milliards d'euros (en prix courants) aux programmes
de la politique de cohésion durant 2021 et 2022. Les mesures visent à soutenir la résilience du
marché du travail, les emplois, les PME et les familles à faible revenu, ainsi que la mise en place de
fondations à l'épreuve du temps pour les transitions vertes et numériques et une reprise socio-
économique durable. (Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela - Tél.: +32 229 66712; Marta
Wieczorek - Tél.: +32 229 58197; Veronica Favalli - Tél.: +32 229 87269; Flora Matthaes - Tél.: +32
229 83951)

Culture: La Commission célèbre des réalisations remarquables en matière de patrimoine
culturel avec les prix Europa Nostra
 Aujourd'hui, la Commission et Europa Nostra, le premier réseau européen du patrimoine, ont
annoncé les lauréats du prix du patrimoine européen/Europa Nostra 2021, financé par le programme
« Europe créative » de l'UE. Les prix promeuvent les meilleures pratiques en matière de
conservation, de gestion, de recherche, d'éducation et de communication du patrimoine. Mariya
Gabriel, commissaire à l'innovation, à la recherche, à la culture, à l'éducation et à la jeunesse, a
déclaré: « Les 24 lauréats de cette année, issus de 18 pays européens différents, sont des
ambassadeurs de la beauté du patrimoine en Europe, qu'il s'agisse de traditions et de savoir-faire,
d'une architecture magnifique ou de la manière dont le patrimoine peut unir les communautés et les
générations. Je félicite chaleureusement ces femmes et ces hommes exceptionnels, les
professionnels du patrimoine, les architectes, les scientifiques et les bénévoles, qui font briller notre
patrimoine commun et nous le rendent plus proche. » Chaque année, les prix du patrimoine
européen/Europa Nostra récompensent jusqu'à 30 réalisations exceptionnelles dans le domaine du
patrimoine dans toute l'Europe. Jusqu'à quatre d'entre elles sont sélectionnées comme lauréats du
Grand Prix et une autre reçoit le Prix du public. De nombreux projets récompensés cette année
montrent que le patrimoine culturel peut devenir une pierre angulaire du développement durable et
contribuer à construire un monde plus vert, contribuant ainsi à la réalisation de l'objectif du pacte
vert pour l'Europe et de la nouvelle stratégie en matière d'adaptation au changement climatique.
Toute personne passionnée par le patrimoine culturel a la possibilité de voter en ligne jusqu'au 5
septembre, pour son candidat favori au prix du choix public. Les lauréats du Grand Prix 2021 (qui
reçoivent chacun 10,000 €), le lauréat du prix du choix public et les deux lauréats du prix spécial
Ilucidare seront annoncés au cours d'une cérémonie de remise des prix dans le courant de l'année.
De plus amples informations et les noms des 24 lauréats sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus
d'informations: Sonya Gospodinova — Tél.: + 32 229 66953; Sinéad Meehan-van Druten — Tél.: +
32 229 84094)

State aid: Commission approves €2.1 billion German scheme to support roll-out of
infrastructure for high speed mobile communication services in underserved areas in
Germany
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €2.1 billion German aid scheme

to support the deployment, operation, and granting of access to high performance mobile
infrastructure in areas served only with 2G networks and below. The scheme notified by Germany will
support the provision of high-performance mobile services based on Long Term Evolution (LTE - a 4G
mobile communications standard) technology and newer mobile network technology generations,
including 5G, which will enable high-speed internet connections. The scheme will be implemented by
the newly established and state-owned Mobilfunkinfrastrukturgesellschaft mbH. The public support
will take the form of grants to companies that build and operate the passive infrastructure for voice
and mobile data services (masts, ducts, dark fibre). Beneficiaries may include mobile network
operators, specialised construction companies and fibre optic companies. The Commission assessed
the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and by applying the principles set out in the Commission's
2013 Broadband Guidelines. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the scheme is in line with
EU State aid rules, and contributes to the EU's strategic objectives set out in the Communication
"Towards a European Gigabit Society”. At the same time, the scheme will help reduce important
inequalities and the digital divide in Germany. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in
charge of competition policy, said: “This €2.1 billion scheme will enable the provision of high-
performance mobile services to citizens. It will bring about significant mobile network capacity and
availability in currently underserved areas in Germany. All mobile network operators will obtain
access to the infrastructure on equal terms, so the scheme will foster competition to the benefit of
consumers. It will bridge a digital divide, reduce inequalities and ensure seamless communication.
We have worked closely with German authorities to enable public money being channelled into areas
that are most in need of better connectivity, in line with the EU's ambition to achieve performant
mobile voice and data connectivity everywhere in Europe." A full press release is available online.
(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 modification of existing German scheme to support rail
freight operators and mitigate effects of coronavirus outbreak on the sector
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the modification of an existing
German aid scheme to support rail freight operators in Germany by partially compensating track
access charges. The amended scheme, which includes a budget increase and a further reduction of
the track access charges due by rail freight operators, will contribute to reducing road congestion and
CO² emissions. At the same time, it will mitigate the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the
German rail freight sector. In December 2018, the Commission approved a scheme to promote the
shift of freight traffic from road to rail. On 7 May 2021, Germany notified the following modifications
to the scheme: (i) an increase in budget for the year 2021, from €350 million to €567 million; and
(ii) an increase in the maximum compensation that rail freight operators can receive which,
depending on the distance covered, could go up to an estimated 98% of their track access charges
(compared to 45% under the current scheme). The other elements of the existing scheme, including
its overall duration, will remain unchanged. The Commission assessed the modified scheme under EU
State aid rules, in particular the 2008 Commission Guidelines on State aid for railway undertakings.
The Commission concluded that the amended measure will facilitate the shift of freight transport
from road to rail in line with the EU policy objectives, including those set out in the European Green
Deal, without unduly distorting competition in the Single Market. On this basis, the Commission
approved the modified scheme under EU State aid rules. A 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 €5.2 million Danish scheme to support local newspapers
affected by coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €5.2 million (approximately DKK 39 million) Danish
scheme to support local weekly newspapers 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 direct grants. The scheme will be open to local weekly newspapers registered with the Danish
Press Council. The support will benefit 27 companies, representing approximately 130 local weekly
newspapers, which were affected by the restrictive measures implemented by the Danish authorities
to limit the spread of the coronavirus and which led to a significant decrease in demand for
advertising in local weekly newspapers between December 2020 and March 2021. The aim of the
scheme is to mitigate the sudden liquidity shortages that the beneficiaries are facing due to these
restrictive measures and to ensure continuity of their economic activity. 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 €1.8 million per beneficiary; and (ii) aid will be granted before 31

December 2021. The Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and
proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article
107(3)(b) TFEU and the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the
Commission approved the measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the 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.63029
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)

State aid: Commission approves €6.8 million Lithuanian scheme to support pig and poultry
sectors affected by coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €6.8 million Lithuanian scheme to support companies
active in the pig and poultry sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was
approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support, which will take the form of
direct grants, will be open to all enterprises active in pig and poultry production and processing. The
aid is intended to ensure sufficient liquidity for beneficiaries that suffered a decrease in turnover of at
least 30% between October 2020 and June 2021, compared to the corresponding period in the years
2019 and 2020. The purpose of the scheme is to help the beneficiaries to cover their uncovered fixed
costs and continue their activities during and after the outbreak. The measure is expected to benefit
between 51 and 100 beneficiaries. The Commission found that the Lithuanian scheme is in line with
the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular the aid (i) will not exceed €1.8
billion per company active in food production; and (ii) will be granted until 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 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.62950 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)

State aid: Commission approves €8 million Latvian aid measure to support sports centres in
the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €8 million Latvian measure to support companies that
own, manage or rent sports centres in Latvia, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The
measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the
form of direct grants to sports centres that have experienced a drop in turnover of at least 60% in
December 2020 and January, February and March 2021 compared to the turnover they reported for
the same months in 2019 and 2020. The aid aims at covering operational costs (utility bills, rental of
land, liability payments, and outsourcing costs) incurred between 1 December 2020 to 31 December
2021. The Commission found that the Latvian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the
Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €1.8 million per company and
(ii) the aid will be granted no later than 30 September 2021 (i.e. it will be granted before 31
December 2021 as foreseen by the Temporary Framework). 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.62917 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)

State aid: Commission approves €20 million Latvian measure to support shopping centres
in context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €20 million Latvian measure to support owners of
shopping centres in Latvia, in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The measure was approved

under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants to
shopping centre owners that have experienced a fall in rental turnover of the shopping centre
concerned of at least 30% in at least one of the following periods: (i) December 2020 and January,
February and March 2021 compared with these same months in 2019 and 2020, or in 2018 and
2019, (ii) January and February 2021 compared with November and December 2020, or (iii) January,
February, March and April 2021 compared with September, October, November and December 2020.
Beneficiaries will be granted €15 per square metre of the shopping centre, excluding parking areas.
The aid granted under the measure aims at covering costs related to the use of the building from 1
December 2020 to 31 December 2021. The Commission found that the Latvian measure is in line
with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed
€1.8 million per company and (ii) the aid will be granted no later than 30 September 2021. The
Commission concluded that the measure is necessary, appropriate and proportionate to remedy a
serious disturbance in the economy of a Member State, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the
conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the
measure under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Framework and other actions
taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic can be found
here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number
SA.62916 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 Unit4 by TA Associates and Partners Group
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over Unit4 N.V. of the Netherlands by TA Associates Management LLP of the U.S. and Partners
Group AG of Switzerland. Unit4 is a provider of business software and IT services, focusing on the
provision of enterprise resource planning software solutions. TA Associates is a private equity firm
with a portfolio of companies active in selected industries, including business services, consumer,
financial services, healthcare and technologies. Partners Group is a global private markets
investment management company active in the areas of private equity, real estate, infrastructure
and debt. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition
concerns, given the limited horizontal overlaps and vertical relationships 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.10245. (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 Ecoplanta by Suez and Repsol
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of
Ecoplanta Molecular Recycling Solution, S.L. (“Ecoplanta”) of Spain, by Suez of France and Repsol of
Spain. Ecoplanta, currently solely controlled by Suez, is active in the development, construction and
operation of a waste-to-biofuels/chemicals facility to transform municipal solid waste-derived
feedstock into biomethanol in the province of Tarragona, Spain. Suez is active in water and waste
management activities. Repsol is active in the manufacture and marketing of all kinds of chemical
products, including petrochemicals. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would
raise no competition concerns, given that the transaction does not create any new overlap or vertical
relationship between Ecoplanta and its parent 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.10177. (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 joint control over Roast Market by Melitta and
Burda
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over Roast Market GmbH, by Melitta Unternehmensgruppe Bentz KG (‘Melitta') and by Burda
GmbH, belonging to Hubert Burda Media Holding KG (‘Hubert Burda Media'), all of Germany. Roast
Market is a specialised online coffee retailer. Melitta is active in the manufacture and supply of coffee,
coffee making equipment and household products. Hubert Burda Media is active in media, e-
commerce, printing, marketing, retail, shareholdings and service provision. The Commission
concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the limited

foreseen activities of the joint venture in the European Economic Area. 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.10242. (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 creation of a joint venture by Magna and LGE
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint
venture based in South Korea, by Magna Metalforming GmbH of Austria and LG Electronics Inc.
(‘LGE') of South Korea. The joint venture will be active in the manufacturing and supply of certain
component products, e-Drive systems and inverter systems, each for electric and hybrid vehicles
components and systems. Magna Metalforming is a global automotive supplier which designs,
engineers and manufactures components, assemblies, systems, subsystems and modules for original
equipment manufacturers of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. LGE is an integrated
electronic goods manufacturer with global operations and distribution networks throughout more
than 150 countries. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no
competition concerns given the moderate positions of the companies in the markets. 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.10196. (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 Rodenstock by Apax Partners
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of the
Rodenstock Group (‘Rodenstock') of Germany, by Apax Partners LLP of the UK. Rodenstock
manufactures and distributes ophthalmic lenses as well as, to a limited extent, optical frames,
sunglasses, ophthalmic substrate and ophthalmic equipment. Apax Partners provides investment
advisory services to private equity funds, spanning a wide range of industry sectors. The Commission
concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because of the limited
overlap between the companies' activities, and its limited impact on 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.10254. (For
more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344;
Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

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.

Eurostat: communiqués de presse
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