European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 28 / 02 / 2022
Brussels, 28 February 2022
Ukraine: EU coordinating emergency assistance and steps up humanitarian aid
As the humanitarian situation in Ukraine worsens and neighbouring countries receive Ukrainians
fleeing their country, the European Commission is working all fronts to provide emergency
assistance. The Commission has announced an additional €90 million for emergency aid programmes
to help civilians affected by the war in Ukraine, as part of an urgent aid appeal by the United Nations.
The funding will help people inside Ukraine and in Moldova. This new EU humanitarian aid will
provide food, water, health, shelter and help cover their basic needs. The Commission is also
coordinating the delivery of material assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism to Ukraine,
with offers from currently 20 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain,
Sweden and the Netherlands – which includes 8 million essential medical care items and civil
protection support. A first truck load from Slovenia arrived yesterday to Ukraine's capital Kyiv.
Moldova has activated the Mechanism to support Ukrainians arriving to their country. Already Austria,
France and the Netherlands offered emergency support such as shelter items and medical assistance
to Moldova. The Commission is in constant contact with other neighbouring countries of Ukraine and
stands ready to provide further assistance as requested. Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez
Lenarčič, said: “Civilians are paying the highest price of the illegal Russian military aggression on
Ukraine. The war risks displacing millions of Ukrainians, leading to a sharp rise in humanitarian
needs. Inside Ukraine, but also in neighbouring countries where Ukrainians seek safety. The EU
stands in full solidarity with the Ukrainian people and our initial funding will allow our humanitarian
partners to deliver urgently needed assistance. I urge the entire international donor community to
also generously respond.” A press release is available online. (For more information: Miriam Garcia
Ferrer - Tel.: +32 229 99075; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Providing protection to those fleeing the war in Ukraine: Commissioner Johansson in
Romania and Slovakia today and tomorrow to assess the situation
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, is in Romania today and will be in Slovakia
tomorrow to assess the situation on the ground and the need for assistance and coordination by the
Commission when it comes to providing protection to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. This morning,
Commissioner Johansson visited the mobile refugee camp at the Siret border crossing point
between Ukraine and Romania. She also met Lucian Bode, Romanian Internal Affairs Minister and will
be visiting the border police command centre. A press conference will follow at around 12:40 CET
today, which will be broadcast live on EbS+. Later this afternoon, Commissioner Johansson will
meet Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă. She will also
exchange with civil society representatives. Tomorrow, Commissioner Johansson will be in Slovakia
where she will meet Slovak Prime Minister Eduard Heger, Interior Minister Roman Mikulec, Foreign
and European Affairs Minister Ivan Korčok and Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď. She will also meet with
civil society representatives. (For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: +32 229 85691; Ciara
Bottomley – Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721)

NextGenerationEU: European Commission endorses positive preliminary assessment of
Italy's request for €21 billion disbursement under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
The European Commission has endorsed today a positive preliminary assessment of Italy's payment
request for €21 billion, of which €10 billion of grants and €11 billion of loans under the Recovery
and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of NextGenerationEU. On 30 December
2021, Italy submitted to the Commission a payment request based on the 51 milestones and targets
selected in the Council Implementing Decision for the first instalment. They cover reforms in the
areas of public administration, public procurement, justice, the spending review framework, tertiary
education, active labour market policies and the framework law to strengthen the autonomy of

people with disabilities. They also concern major investments in the field of digitalisation of
businesses (“Transition 4.0”), energy efficiency and renovation of residential buildings. With their
request, the Italian authorities provided detailed and comprehensive evidence demonstrating the
satisfactory fulfilment of the 51 milestones and targets. The Commission has now sent its positive
preliminary assessment of Italy's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this payment
to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), asking for its opinion. Following the EFC's opinion,
the Commission will adopt the final decision on the disbursement of the financial contribution, after
which the disbursement to Italy would take place. More information is available in a press release
and Q&A online. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302; Andrea Masini – Tel.:
+32 229 91519)

NextGenerationEU: European Commission endorses positive preliminary assessment of
Greece's request for €3.6 billion disbursement under Recovery and Resilience Facility
The European Commission has today endorsed a positive preliminary assessment of Greece's
payment request for €3.6 billion, of which €1.7 billion in grants and nearly €1.9 billion in loans,
under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the key instrument at the heart of
NextGenerationEU. On 29 December 2021, Greece submitted to the Commission a payment request
based on the achievement of the 15 milestones selected in the Council Implementing Decision for
the first instalment. They cover reforms and investments in the areas of energy efficiency, electric
mobility, waste management, labour market, taxation, business environment, healthcare, public
transport, as well as Greece's audit and control system for the implementation of the RRF. The
submission of the first payment request by Greece followed a period of close cooperation between
the Greek authorities and the Commission on the preparation of the evidence to demonstrate the
satisfactory fulfilment of the milestones included in the payment request. With their request, the
Greek authorities provided detailed and comprehensive evidence demonstrating the fulfilment of the
15 milestones. The Commission thoroughly assessed this information before presenting its positive
preliminary assessment of the payment request. The Commission has now sent its positive
preliminary assessment of Greece's fulfilment of the milestones and targets required for this
payment to the Economic and Financial Committee (EFC), asking for its opinion. Following the EFC's
opinion, the Commission will adopt the final decision on the disbursement of the financial
contribution, after which the disbursement to Greece would take place. More information is available
in a press release and Q&A online. (For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: +32 229 96302;
Andrea Masini – Tel.: +32 229 91519)

Antitrust: Commission consults stakeholders on sustainability agreements in agriculture
The European Commission is inviting stakeholders such as primary producers, processors,
manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and input providers to share their experience with agreements
aimed at achieving sustainability objectives in the agri-food supply chains. EU law generally bans
agreements between companies that restrict competition, such as agreements between competitors
leading to higher prices or lower quantities. However, the European Parliament and Council of the EU
recently adopted a new derogation allowing such restrictions in agreements in the agriculture sector
if they are indispensable to achieve sustainability standards higher than EU or national mandatory
standards. The Commission consults stakeholders to understand the types of sustainability
agreements they have developed so far or would like to develop, the potential restrictions of
competition that could have resulted or may result from such agreements as well as the possible
impact of such cooperation on supply, prices and innovation. All stakeholders are invited to submit
their views on the Commission's consultation website until 23 May 2022. The Commission will
carefully review all input and will publish the stakeholders' submissions, a summary of the main
findings and conclusions on the consultation website. The Commission envisages to have a public
consultation on the draft guidelines in 2023. A press release is available online. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Antitrust: Commission seeks feedback on commitments offered by Insurance Ireland
concerning access to its data sharing platform
The European Commission invites comments on commitments offered by Insurance Ireland, an
association of Irish insurers, to address competition concerns regarding access to its Insurance Link
information exchange system. On 14 May 2019, the Commission opened a formal investigation into
Insurance Ireland's conduct. In June 2021, the Commission issued a Statement of Objections
outlining its preliminary view that Insurance Ireland had breached EU antitrust rules by restricting

competition in the Irish motor vehicle insurance market. To address the Commission's concerns,
Insurance Ireland has offered the following commitments: (i) to make the access to the Insurance
Link information exchange system independent from any membership to Insurance Ireland; (ii) to
change the access criteria to Insurance Link and make them fair, objective, transparent and non-
discriminatory; (iii) to establish a new Insurance Link application procedure with a defined timeline
that will be handled by an independent Application Officer; (iv) to establish a cost and usage based
fee model and to ensure that a fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory fee will be charged to
Insurance Link users; (v) to ensure that the criteria for becoming member of the Insurance Ireland
association will be fair, objective, transparent and non-discriminatory. The offered commitments
would remain in force for 10 years. The Commission invites all interested parties to submit their
views within one month from the publication of a summary of the commitments in the Official
Journal. The full text of the commitments will be available on DG Competition's website. A press
release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina
Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Aides d'État : la Commission autorise cinq régimes français de 63,8 millions d'euros visant
à renouveler la flotte de pêche dans cinq départements d'outre-mer
La Commission européenne a autorisé, en vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, cinq
régimes d'aides françaises visant à renouveler la flotte de pêche dans cinq régions ultrapériphériques
de l'UE. Ces cinq régimes d'aides, d'un montant total de 63,8 millions d'euros (Guyane 17 millions
d'euros; Guadeloupe 16,2 millions d'euros; Martinique 16,2 millions d'euros; Mayotte 7,5
millions d'euros; et La Réunion 6,9 millions d'euros) seront en place respectivement jusqu'au 31
décembre 2025 (Martinique), 31 décembre 2026 (Mayotte et Guadeloupe) et 31 décembre 2027 (La
Réunion et Guyane). Les bénéficiaires sont les marins pêcheurs qui exploiteront les navires de pêche
dans tous ces départements d'outre-mer. Les aides d'État sont nécessaires en raison de la vétusté et
la sécurité des flottes actuelles, et du manque d'attrait de ce secteur pour la nouvelle génération de
pêcheurs dans un contexte des coûts élevés des navires et d'une réticence des établissements de
crédits à en financer l'acquisition. La Commission a évalué les cinq mesures au regard des règles de
l'UE en matière d'aides d'État, et plus particulièrement des lignes directrices pour l'examen des aides
d'État dans le secteur de la pêche et de l'aquaculture (« lignes directrices »), révisées en 2018, qui
permettent les aides destinées aux régions ultrapériphériques de l'UE sous certaines conditions.
Avant l'octroi des aides sur base de ces cinq régimes, les autorités françaises sont tenues de
démontrer qu'il existe un équilibre entre la capacité de pêche et les possibilités de pêche du segment
de flotte de la région ultrapériphérique à laquelle le navire de pêche appartiendra. La Commission
considère que les mesures sont conformes aux règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État. Cela inclut
les conditions suivantes: (i) l'aide est utilisée pour l'acquisition des nouveaux navires de pêche qui
doivent rester immatriculés dans la région ultrapériphérique pendant au moins 15 ans; (ii) le plafond
d'aide ne peut pas excéder 60 % du total des coûts éligibles dans le cas de navires d'une longueur
hors tout inférieure à 12 mètres, ne peut excéder ainsi que 50 % du total des coûts éligibles dans le
cas de navires d'une longueur hors tout égale ou supérieure à 12 mètres et inférieure à 24 mètres.
Aux fins des lignes directrices, la Commission considère que le marché n'atteint pas les objectifs
escomptés sans intervention de l'État et que ces interventions sont nécessaires et proportionnées.
Sur cette base, la Commission a conclu que les régimes sont conformes aux règles de l'UE en
matière d'aides d'État et, en particulier, compatibles avec l'article 107, paragraphe 3, point a) du
Traité sur le fonctionnement de l'Union européenne. Plus d'informations sont disponibles sur le site
web de la Direction générale de la concurrence de la Commission dans le registre des aides d'État,
sous les numéros SA.57275 (La Réunion) – SA.57994 (Mayotte) – SA.58191 – (Martinique) –
SA.58611 (Guadeloupe) – SA.59051 (Guyane). (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.:
+32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tél.: +32 229 98163)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Ingram Micro's contract logistics business by
CMA CGM
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Ingram
Micro Inc.'s contract logistics business (‘CLS Business') of the US, by CMA CGM S.A. of France. CLS
Business comprises the contract logistics business of Ingram including forward and reverse logistics.
CMA CGM offers a range of services related to sea transportation, including container liner shipping
and port terminal services. CMA CGM is also active within freight forwarding and contract logistics
services. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition
concerns due to 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.10608. (For more information: Arianna Podesta –

Tel.: +32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Concentrations : la Commission autorise l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de FST Hotels
par PSPIB et Eurazeo
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition du contrôle conjoint de FST Hotels, S.L., basé en Espagne, par Public Sector Pension
Investment Board (« PSPIB »), basé au Canada, et Eurazeo SE, basé en France. FST Hotels gère des
hôtels en Espagne sous la marque Ayre Hoteles et est propriétaire d'un terrain à Porto (Portugal).
PSPIB gère un portefeuille mondial diversifié comprenant des actions, des biens immobiliers et des
infrastructures pour le compte des fonds de pension de la fonction publique fédérale, des Forces
canadiennes, de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada et de la Force de réserve. Eurazeo est une société
d'investissement présente dans de nombreux secteurs, notamment dans la gestion d'établissements
d'hébergement de personnes âgées dépendantes et de centres de soins de suite et de réadaptation.
La Commission a conclu que l'opération envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence,
compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché. L'opération a été examinée dans le
cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont
disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires
sous le numéro d'affaire M.10609. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229
87024; Nina Ferreira - Tél.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Körber Supply Chain Software Management by
Körber AG and KKR
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of of joint
control of Körber Supply Chain Software Management GmbH by Körber AG, both of Germany, and
KKR & Co Inc. (‘KKR') of the US. Körber Supply Chain Software Management, currently solely
controlled by Körber AG, provides supply chain execution software and enabling technology such as
robotics and voice control. Körber AG is a strategic management holding, offering a variety of
products, solutions and services in digital, pharma, supply chain, tissue and tobacco. KKR is a global
investment firm that offers alternative asset management and capital markets and insurance
solutions. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition
concerns, given the very limited horizontal overlaps and the lack of any 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.10592. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.:
+32 229 87024; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Gabriel in Dublin today to discuss education, research and innovation
Today, Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, will be
in Dublin to discuss Ireland's involvement in the European Universities Strategy, Erasmus+ and in
research and innovation, particularly Horizon Europe. The Commissioner will visit Ireland's oldest
university, Trinity College Dublin, including a visit to the Long Room Library, the Book of Kells as well
as Trinity College's Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research Centre (AMBER). AMBER brings
together Ireland's leading material science researchers working across the disciplines of physics,
chemistry, bioengineering and medicine, with an international network of collaborators and
companies. It was key to the success of Ireland's prominent role in Horizon 2020. The Commissioner
will further meet with Simon Harris, Minister of Further and Higher Education, as well as Norma
Foley, Minister of Education. At the Department of Education, Commissioner Gabriel will meet Ailbhe
and Isabel Keane. They were awarded the 2021 Rising Innovator prize, which is awarded to an
exceptional innovator under the age of 30 as part of the EU Prize for Women Innovators. Their award-
winning company Izzy Wheels makes fashionable wheel covers for wheelchairs. (For more
information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

La présidence française du Conseil et la Commission s'unissent pour donner un nouvel élan

à la lutte contre le sans-abrisme
Nicolas Schmit, commissaire à l'emploi et aux droits sociaux et Emmanuelle Wargon, ministre
déléguée au Logement, se réunissent aujourd'hui à Issy-les-Moulinaux avec les ministres de l'UE en
charge de la lutte contre le sans-abrisme, ainsi que des représentants des institutions européennes,
des autorités locales et régionales, des partenaires sociaux et de la société civile pour donner un
nouvel élan à la lutte contre le sans-abrisme. À la suite de la déclaration adoptée à Lisbonne en juin
2021, les 27 États membres et l'ensemble des partenaires valideront un plan de travail ambitieux.
Ils s'engageront notamment à travailler sur la prévention, l'accès au logement et l'accompagnement
des personnes sans domicile fixe, et à soutenir ces mesures par un financement adéquat. La
Plateforme européenne de lutte contre le sans-abrisme, initiée par la Commission et la Présidence
portugaise du Conseil, les soutiendra à travers une série de mesures, y compris les échanges et
l'apprentissage entre responsables politiques et acteurs sociaux ; la diffusion et la promotion des
bonnes pratiques ; l'exploitation les possibilités de financement de l'UE ; et la collection des données
pour mieux comprendre le phénomène et examiner les progrès accomplis. Nicolas Schmit,
commissaire à l'emploi et aux droits sociaux, a déclaré: « Le sans-abrisme est une forme extrême
d'exclusion sociale, dont le risque de prévalence a été accru par la pandémie. Lutter contre ce
phénomène implique d'avoir une approche multidimensionnelle en ne prenant pas seulement en
compte le logement, mais en agissant aussi sur les services sociaux, le soutien psychologique, ou
encore la formation. C'est pourquoi nous avons mis en place la Plateforme européenne de Lutte
contre le sans-abrisme. Cette plateforme nous permet de partager nos bonnes pratiques et de
trouver des solutions tangibles adaptables à chaque territoire. » (Pour plus d'informations: Veerle
Nuyts - Tél.: +32 229 96302; Flora Matthaes - Tél.: +32 229 83951)

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.

Prochains événements de la Commission européenne
Eurostat: communiqués de presse

The Spokesperson's Service has re-opened the Berlaymont press room to a limited number
of journalists. For more information, please see here.
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