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European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 12 / 01 / 2021
Brussels, 12 January 2021
Coronavirus: la Commission conclut des discussions préliminaires avec Valneva en vue de
se procurer un nouveau vaccin potentiel
La Commission européenne a conclu aujourd'hui des discussions préliminaires avec l'entreprise
pharmaceutique Valneva en vue d'acheter son vaccin potentiel contre la COVID-19. Le contrat
envisagé avec Valneva prévoirait la possibilité, pour tous les États membres de l'UE, d'acheter
ensemble 30 millions de doses dans un premier temps, puis jusqu'à 30 millions de doses
supplémentaires. La finalisation des discussions préliminaires, intervenue ce jour, vient grossir les
rangs d'un portefeuille déjà large et sécurisé de vaccins à produire en Europe, qui comprend les
contrats déjà signés avec AstraZeneca, Sanofi-GSK, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, BioNTech-Pfizer,
CureVac et Moderna ainsi que les discussions préliminaires conclues avec Novavax. Ce portefeuille
diversifié de vaccins permettra à l'Europe d'être bien préparée à la vaccination une fois que
l'innocuité et l'efficacité des vaccins auront été prouvées, comme c'est déjà le cas des vaccins de
BioNTech/Pfizer et Moderna, qui ont récemment été autorisés dans l'UE. Les États membres ont la
possibilité de donner des vaccins aux pays à revenu faible et intermédiaire ou de les réorienter vers
d'autres pays européens. La présidente de la Commission européenne, Ursula von der Leyen, s'est
exprimée à ce propos : « En raison de la persistance de la pandémie de COVID-19 en Europe et dans
le monde, il est plus important que jamais que tous les États membres aient accès à un éventail de
vaccins aussi large que possible pour contribuer à la protection des populations, en Europe et au-
delà. L'avancée d'aujourd'hui en vue de parvenir à un accord avec Valneva complète encore le
portefeuille de vaccins de l'Union et témoigne de l'engagement de la Commission à trouver une
solution durable à la pandémie. » Stella Kyriakides, commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité
alimentaire, a poursuivi en ces termes : « Avec ce huitième vaccin, nous enrichissons l'éventail déjà
large et diversifié de vaccins de notre portefeuille. Ce faisant, nous pouvons maximiser nos chances
de faire en sorte que tous les citoyens puissent avoir accès à des vaccins sûrs et efficaces d'ici la fin
de l'année 2021. Tous les États membres ont lancé leurs campagnes de vaccination et vont recevoir
un nombre croissant de doses afin de couvrir leurs besoins au cours de cette année. » Vous trouverez
plus d'informations dans un communiqué de presse et dans un document questions-réponses sur les
négociations sur les vaccins. (Pour plus d'informations: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tél.: +32 229
84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tél.: +32 229 83978)

One Planet Summit: President von der Leyen calls for ambitious, global and game-changing
agreement on biodiversity
Yesterday afternoon, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, took part in
the ‘One Planet Summit' for biodiversity, via videoconference. In her speech, President von der
Leyen emphasised that "2021 will be the year when the world turns over a new leaf for our planet”
at the COP15 for nature in Kunming, in May this year. She called for an “ambitious, global and game-
changing Paris-style agreement” to be drawn up at the COP15, since this concerns not only
sustainable development, but also equality, security, and quality of life. The President reiterated
Europe's willingness to show the way and bring as many partners as possible on board, while leading
by action and ambition at home. President von der Leyen also spoke about the link between
biodiversity loss and COVID-19: “If we don't urgently act to protect our nature, we may already be at
the beginning of an era of pandemics. But we can do something about it. It needs concerted global
action and local sustainable development. And just as we cooperate for our 'One Planet' we need to
work together for our 'One Health'.” Speaking at the summit hosted by France, the United Nations
and the World Bank, Ursula von der Leyen set out how the Commission is working to preserve
biodiversity: “This shows that turning over a new leaf for nature all comes down to local action and
global ambition. This is why, with the European Green Deal, we are stepping up our own action and
ambition - both locally and globally. And the new, greener Common Agricultural Policy will help us
protect livelihoods and food security - while we protect our nature and our climate.” Finally, she
reminded participants of Europe's “duty to ensure that our Single Market does not drive deforestation

in local communities in other parts of the world”. Watch the speech here, read it in full here. Learn
more about the Commission's work to protect our planet's biodiversity here. (For more information:
Eric Mamer – Tel.: +32 229 94073; Dana Spinant – Tel.: +32 229 90150; Vivian Loonela – Tel.: +32
229 66712)

Coronavirus response: €20 million to support the health sector and businesses in Poland
Thanks to a modification of the Operational Programme for Kujawsko-Pomorskie region in Poland,
nearly €20 million are now available to help tackle the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic in
the country. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “Kujawsko-Pomorskie is
one of the hardest hit regions in Poland and this decision will provide much needed relief to
companies and medical and social personnel. No region in the EU is left to face the crisis alone.”
Kujawsko-Pomorskie will benefit from an extra €3.45 million to provide working capital for micro,
small and medium-sized businesses. €2.5 million will be used in vocational training infrastructure
and to provide students and teachers with proper remote schooling conditions through the purchase
of laptops and mobile internet. €8.8 million will increase accessibility of health services as well as
social services for people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. Search and rescue infrastructure and
services will receive €0.7 million, while €4.4 million will be directed to the improvement of health
and social infrastructure. Regional hospitals have already received, among other equipment, 158
respirators, 11 fully equipped ambulances, 52 disinfection and decontamination apparatus and
10,000 COVID-19 diagnostic tests for employees of social welfare homes, care and treatment
facilities, nursing and care facilities, social welfare centers, shelters and night shelters for the
homeless. The modification was possible thanks to the exceptional flexibility 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 and its economic consequences, such as healthcare, SMEs and labour
markets. For more information on EU Cohesion policy's response to the crisis, visit the Coronavirus
Dashboard. (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712, Veronica Favalli - Tel.:
+32 229 87269)

Investment Plan for Europe backs construction and operation of new wind farms in
Portugal
The EIB will provide €65 million to EDP Renováveis S.A. (EDPR) to finance the construction and
operation of two onshore wind farms in the Portuguese districts of Coimbra and Guarda. The EIB
contribution is backed by a guarantee provided by the European Fund for Strategic Investments
(EFSI), the main pillar of the Investment Plan for Europe. The wind farms are expected to have a
total capacity of 125 MW and create approximately 560 jobs during the project's construction phase.
Once operational, the wind farms will contribute to Portugal meeting its energy and climate plan
targets as well as the Commission's binding target of having at least 32% of final energy
consumption coming from renewable sources by 2030. Commissioner for the Economy, Paolo
Gentiloni, said: “This agreement between the EIB and EDP Renováveis, supported by the
Investment Plan for Europe, is a winner for both the climate and the economy. The financing, backed
by the European Fund for Strategic Investments, will fund new onshore wind farms in the west and
north of Portugal, helping the country to reach its ambitious energy and climate plan targets and
creating new jobs in the process.” The Investment Plan for Europe has so far mobilised €535 billion
of investment across the EU, of which 16% for energy-related projects. The press release is available
here. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora Matthaes – Tel.: +32
229 83951)

State aid: Commission approves €200 million of public support to promote rail transport
interoperability in Germany
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, €200 million of public support to
upgrade traffic management equipment for rail vehicles in the area of Stuttgart in Germany. The
scheme consists of two measures. The first measure will support the furnishing of railway vehicles
with the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) onboard equipment. The second
measure will support the furnishing of those same vehicles with automatic train operation (ATO).
ATO is an operational safety enhancement device used to help automate the operation of trains. The
scheme allows to equip the vehicles with both ERTMS and ATO. ERTMS is a safety system that
ensures the compliance by trains with speed restrictions and signalling status. This system is
expected to enable the creation of a seamless European railway system, and increase the safety and
competitiveness of the European rail sector. The two measures supporting the rail freight sector will

ensure increased public support to further encourage the shift of freight traffic from road to rail. The
public support will take the form of direct grants to the owners or operators of railway vehicles, to be
used for upgrading the existing equipment. The measure will run until 2025. The Commission found
that the German measure is beneficial for the environment and for mobility as it supports rail
transport, which is less polluting than road transport, while also decreasing road congestion.
Furthermore, the measure is proportionate and necessary as it promotes interoperability of railway
systems in the EU and supports the shift of freight transport from road to rail whilst not leading to
undue competition distortions. Finally, the aid will have an “incentive effect” as the owners or
operators of railway vehicles would not perform the necessary upgrade of their rolling stock in the
absence of the public support. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the measures are in line
with EU State aid rules, in particular the 2008 Commission Guidelines on State aid for railway
undertakings. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the
public case register under case number SA.58908 once any confidentiality issues have been
resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32
229 55344)

Aides d'État: La Commission autorise un régime croate d'un montant de 202 millions
d'euros visant à soutenir les entreprises des secteurs du tourisme et du sport touchées par
la pandémie de COVID-19
La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime d'aides d'État croate d'un montant d'environ 202
millions d'euros (1,525 milliard de HRK) destiné à soutenir les entreprises de toutes tailles actives
dans les secteurs du sport et du tourisme (et dans les secteurs directement liés tels que l'hôtellerie
et la restauration) et touchées par la pandémie de coronavirus. Ce régime a été autorisé en vertu
de l'encadrement temporaire des aides d'État. L'objectif principal de la mesure est d'aider les
entreprises éligibles à accéder aux liquidités et de préserver la continuité de leur activité
économique. L'aide sera octroyée sous la forme de i) garanties sur les nouveaux crédits de fonds de
roulement et les prêts à l'investissement; et de ii) taux d'intérêt bonifiés pour les nouveaux prêts. Le
budget total du régime s'élève à 202 millions d'euros (1,525 milliard de HRK). La Commission a
estimé que le régime croate est conforme aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement temporaire.
La Commission a conclu que la mesure est nécessaire, appropriée et proportionnée pour remédier à
une perturbation grave de l'économie d'un État membre, conformément à l'article 107, paragraphe
3, point b), du TFUE et aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement temporaire. Sur cette base, la
Commission a autorisé la mesure d'aide en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État.
Margrethe Vestager, vice-présidente exécutive chargée de la politique de concurrence, a déclaré :
« Les entreprises actives dans les secteurs du tourisme et du sport ont été particulièrement touchées
par la pandémie. Ce régime croate facilitera l'accès de ces entreprises aux liquidités en ces temps
difficiles et contribuera à assurer la continuité de leur activité économique. Nous continuons à
travailler en étroite coopération avec les États membres afin de trouver des solutions pratiques
permettant d'atténuer les répercussions économiques de la pandémie de coronavirus dans le respect
de la réglementation de l'UE. » Le communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus
d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €87 million Cypriot guarantee scheme to support
companies in the tourism sector in context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €86.6 million Cypriot scheme to
support companies active in the tourism sector (including organisers of package travel, hotel
businesses, and car rental companies) affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The public support will
take the form of public guarantees which aim at covering vouchers (i.e. credit notes) issued by the
beneficiaries to either consumers or organisers of package travels for cancelled travel packages or
individual touristic services booked prior to 31 October 2020. The scheme aims at supporting service
providers in the touristic sector that are experiencing significant losses of revenue and liquidity
shortages due to the coronavirus outbreak and the restrictive measures that Cyprus and other
governments have had to implement to limit the spread of the virus. The Commission assessed the
scheme under Article 107(3)(b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),
which enables the Commission to approve State aid measures to remedy a serious disturbance to the
economy of a Member State. The Commission found that the scheme is necessary, appropriate and
proportionate to remedy a serious disturbance in the Cypriot economy in a period when the normal
functioning of the tourism and package travel market is severely disturbed by the coronavirus
outbreak, in line with Article 107(3)(b) TFEU and the general principles set out in the State aid
Temporary Framework. On this basis, the Commission approved the measure under EU State aid

rules. Furthermore, the scheme is in line with the objectives pursued by the Commission
Recommendation (EU) 2020/648 of 13 May 2020 aiming at making vouchers an attractive and
reliable alternative to cash reimbursements. 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.59668 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 Hornsea One OFTO by DTC and CEPCON
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Hornsea
One OFTO, by Diamond Transmission Corporation Limited (‘DTC'), both of the UK, and Chubu Electric
Power Company Netherlands B.V. (‘CEPCON'), of the Netherlands. Hornsea One OFTO owns and
operates the transmission network for the Hornsea One offshore windfarm. DTC is controlled by
Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan, a global trading company with activities related to energy, metals,
machinery, chemicals, food and general merchandise. DTC is active in Mitsubishi's investment
activities in the transmission section. CEPCON is controlled by Chubu Electric Power of Japan, a
multi-energy services group with activities related to, among others, electric utility and related
enterprises, gas supply and thermal storage brokerage, on-site energy businesses, real estate
management services and IT services, for which CEPCON holds the overseas investments. The
Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the
absence of 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.9956. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel. +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Space conference: EU priorities for space in 2021
This year's 13 th Space conference offers high-level debates between key players of the European
space domain in the essential issues Europe is facing today in this unprecedented context: recovery,
development of secure public telecommunications, resilience, digital and green transition. On this
occasion, Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton delivered a keynote speech this morning
where he laid out the main priorities for EU Space in 2021, which are: the consolidation and
development of our flagship programmes as tools for the digital and green transition, Copernicus and
Galileo; Europe's strategic autonomy in space; the development of secure connectivity as the third
main element of Europe's space capabilities and the positioning of Europe as the hub for space
entrepreneurship in the world. With the adoption of the Space Regulation and a robust financial
envelope of €13.2 billion for the EU Space Programme, the Commission has the basis to develop
Europe's leadership in space and consolidate past achievements. Tomorrow, High
Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell will deliver a keynote speech on the importance of
space in amplifying the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy, including in the defence domain,
therefore advancing Europe's strategic autonomy. This will enable the EU to protect the security of
the Union and of its citizens both on Earth as well as in space. In this regard, the EU will continue
working to prevent an arms race while promoting a responsible behaviour and peaceful use of outer
space. Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, is also
participating in the conference. Commissioner Gabriel will highlight that funding and extensive
support in research and innovation are essential for the EU to become a global leader in space.
Horizon 2020 has been a key instrument, supporting the research community to develop
breakthrough space technologies and concepts, while the incoming Horizon Europe programme will
further enable innovation in the space sector. For more details, please find the programme here. All
speeches will be available on EbS after delivery. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.:
+32 229 66953; Célia Dejond – Tel.: +32 229 88199)

Commission hosts workshop with online platforms on fair and transparent online shopping

Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice, is today hosting a workshop with major online platforms
(Airbnb, Allegro, AliExpress / Alibaba, Amazon, Bol, Booking, Cdiscount, eBay, Emag, ETSY, Expedia,
Facebook, Google, TripAdvisor, Wish, Yelp, and Zalando) to promote best practices for online
shopping. Discussions will focus on preventing fake user reviews, transparent ranking of search
results and informing consumers about third party suppliers on platforms. Today's meeting is part of
the Commission's ongoing efforts to make consumer protection in the EU as strong online as it is
offline – a goal set out in the recently adopted New Consumer Agenda. Part of this work is the
collaboration with major platforms on the practical implementation of EU consumer protection rules –
an example of which is the removal of millions of COVID-19-related illegal online listings following
extensive contact between the Commission and the platforms. Workshops such as today's will also
feed into the Commission's work to update its existing guidance on the application of EU legislation –
the Unfair Commercial Practices Directive and the Consumer Rights Directive. At the same time, the
Commission will also analyse whether additional legislation or other actions are needed in order to
ensure fairness for consumers - offline as well as online. (For more information: Christian Wigand -
Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229
92729)

Eurostat press releases
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