European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 17 / 05 / 2021
Brussels, 17 May 2021
International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia: A call for non-
discrimination and protection
Today is the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOT), which
raises awareness of the discrimination and violence that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-
binary, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people continue to face, including in Europe. European
Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, said: “As we celebrate
sexual and gender diversities, we are aware of the hard truth that discrimination, hatred, and
violence remain a reality for too many, simply because of who they are. Last year the European
Commission adopted a strategy to improve equality and safety of LGBTIQ persons. Currently we are
working on a proposal to extend the list of EU crimes to also cover hate crimes directed at LGBTIQ
people. We owe it to the LGBTIQ community to do our utmost to stop the unfair treatment they are
facing, in many cases, every single day.” Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, added: “This day
is a call for action against discrimination and for the affirmation of equality for LGBTIQ people. To
mark IDAHOT the European Commission lit the Berlaymont Building in the rainbow colours and
adapted its logo for the day. These symbols transmit our message for an EU-wide LGBTIQ freedom
zone. I am looking forward to continue our work towards a Union of equality for all.” Photographs of
the Berlaymont headquarters lit in the colours of the rainbow flag are available here. And here you
can find a declaration on IDAHOT by High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU. (For
more information contact: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko – Tel.: +32
229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +32 229 92729)

EU anti-racism action plan: The Commission appoints the first ever Anti-Racism Coordinator
The European Commission has appointed Michaela Moua as its first ever Anti-Racism Coordinator,
delivering on an important commitment set out in the EU anti-racism action plan. In her new role,
the Coordinator will liaise closely with people with a minority racial and ethnic background and relay
their concerns to the Commission. Ms Moua will interact with Member States, the European
Parliament, civil society and academia to strengthen policy responses in the field of antiracism.
Finally, she will join forces with other Commission services to implement the Commission's policy on
preventing and combating racism. Helena Dalli, Commissioner for Equality, said “I am delighted to
welcome Ms Moua whose work will be essential to implementing the anti-racism action plan. With her
appointment, the Commission is taking another important step in the promotion of an anti-racist
European Union. We intend to bolster our efforts against racism in a close relationship with EU
countries, civil society and other stakeholders”. Ms Moua studied International Development and then
held a number of senior roles in NGOs in her native Finland combatting racism and discrimination.
For the last few years, she has worked at the Ministry of Justice in Finland. She has extensive
experience and expertise in combatting racism and ethnicity-based discrimination and in promoting
an ethnically equal and diverse society. More information about the EU anti-racism action plan and
the recently organised EU Anti-Racism Summit is available online. (For more information: Christian
Wigand – Tel. + 32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko – Tel.: + 32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli – Tel.: +
32 229 92729

Nagorno Karabakh conflict: EU allocates additional €10 million to support those affected
As part of its efforts to strengthen resilience and peace building in the South Caucasus, the
Commission is today delivering on its pledge to contribute an additional €10 million in humanitarian
aid, including some very early recovery to help civilians affected by the recent conflict in and around
Nagorno Karabakh. This brings EU assistance to people in need, since the start of the hostilities in
September 2020, to over €17 million. The funding will help to provide emergency assistance
including food, hygiene and household items, multi-purpose cash and healthcare. All EU
humanitarian funding is provided based on needs and in line with the humanitarian principles and

delivered in partnership with UN agencies, international organisations and NGOs. Commissioner for
Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: "The humanitarian situation in the region continues to
require our attention, with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbating the impact of
the conflict. The EU is substantially increasing its support to help people affected by the conflict to
meet their basic needs and to rebuild their lives.” Commissioner for Neighbourhood and
Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, said: "As pledged at the end of last year, we are today delivering
additional assistance to the people most affected by the conflict. Our support will not stop there: the
EU continues to work towards a more comprehensive conflict transformation and long-term socio-
economic recovery and resilience of the region.” A press release is available here. (For more
information: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 229 54320; Zoï Muletier – Tel.: +32 229 94306; Daniel Puglisi
– Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Facilité pour la reprise et la résilience: la Croatie et la Lituanie présentent des plans officiels
pour la reprise et la résilience
La Commission a reçu des plans officiels pour la reprise et la résilience de la part de la Croatie et de
la Lituanie. Ces plans exposent les réformes et les projets d'investissement public que chaque État
membre prévoit de mettre en œuvre avec le soutien de la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience
(FRR). La FRR est l'instrument clé au cœur de NextGenerationEU, le programme de l'Union
européenne pour sortir plus fort de la pandémie de COVID-19. Elle apportera jusqu'à 672,5 milliards
d'euros pour soutenir les investissements et les réformes (aux prix de 2018). Ce montant se répartit
en subventions pour un montant total de 312,5 milliards d'euros et en prêts pour 360 milliards
d'euros. La FRR jouera un rôle crucial pour aider l'Europe à sortir plus forte de la crise et pour assurer
les transitions écologique et numérique. La présentation de ces plans fait suite à un dialogue soutenu
entre la Commission et les autorités nationales de ces États membres au cours des derniers mois. La
Commission évaluera les plans dans les deux prochains mois sur la base des onze critères énoncés
dans le règlement et traduira son contenu en actes juridiquement contraignants. La Commission a
maintenant reçu un total de 17 plans pour la reprise et la résilience, de la Belgique, du Danemark, de
l'Allemagne, de la Grèce, de l'Espagne, de la France, de la Croatie, de l'Italie, de la Lettonie, de la
Lituanie, du Luxembourg, de la Hongrie, de l'Autriche, de la Pologne, du Portugal, de la Slovénie et
de la Slovaquie. Elle continuera de dialoguer étroitement avec les autres États membres afin de les
aider à élaborer des plans de grande qualité. Le communiqué de presse et un document questions-
réponses sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Marta Wieczorek – Tél.: +32 229
58197; Enda McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 64976)

Coronavirus variants: Commission calls for limiting essential travel from India
The Commission called on Wednesday last week on EU Member States to take coordinated action to
further restrict travel from India on a temporary basis, with a view to limiting the spread of the
B.1.617.2 variant first detected in India. This follows a proposal of the World Health Organisation on
10 May 2021 to change the classification of that variant from “variant of interest” to “variant of
concern”. It is important to limit to the strict minimum the categories of travellers that can travel
from India for essential reasons and to subject those who may still travel from India to strict testing
and quarantine arrangements. To ensure a fully coordinated and efficient response to this variant and
taking into account the deteriorating health situation in India, the Commission proposed that
Member States apply an ‘emergency brake' on non-essential travel from India. On 3 May, the
Commission had proposed to add an ‘emergency brake mechanism' to the Council recommendation
on restrictions to non-essential travel. The restrictions should not affect those travelling for
compelling reasons such as for imperative family reasons or persons in need of international
protection or for other humanitarian reasons. EU citizens and long-term residents, as well as their
family members, should still be able to travel to Europe. For those travellers, the Commission calls
on Member States to apply additional health-related measures such as strict testing and quarantine
arrangements. A full press release is available online. (For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.
+ 32 229 62253; Ciara Bottomley – Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard – Tel.: +32 229 55721)

The Commission approves a new protected geographical indication from Italy
The European Commission has approved the registration of “Pesca di Delia” from Italy in the register
of protected geographical indications (PGI). The “Pesca di Delia” refers to yellow or white flesh
peaches and yellow flesh nectarines produced in the south west of Sicily. Their specific taste is
characterised by a distinctive flavour of the fruit, accompanied by a pronounced sweetness. The
climatic, environmental and soil conditions of the production area lead to such flavours thanks to a
particularly fertile land, rich in nutrients, which feeds the plant from the early stages of growth until

ripening. Combined with the skills of the local producers, these fruits distinguish themselves from
similar fruits grown elsewhere. The “Pesca di Delia” thanks to its three ripening periods, ranging from
end of May to early October, has a particularly long production period compared to peaches and
nectarines produced in other areas. This new geographical indication will join 1,549 already protected
food products listed in the eAmbrosia database. For more information, see also the pages on quality
policy. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.:
+32 229 63303)

State aid: Commission approves €12.835 million Italian aid measure to compensate Alitalia
for further damages suffered due to coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has found that an Italian aid measure of €12.835 million to support
Alitalia is in line with EU State aid rules. This measure aims at compensating the airline for the
damages suffered on certain routes due to the coronavirus outbreak during the month of January
2021. The restrictions put in place in Italy and other countries to limit the spread of a second and
third wave of the coronavirus pandemic have heavily affected Alitalia's operations. As a result,
Alitalia incurred significant operating losses until at least 31 January 2021. Italy notified to the
Commission an additional aid measure to compensate Alitalia for further damages suffered on certain
specific routes from 1 to 31 January 2021 due to the emergency measures and travel restrictions
necessary to limit the spread of the virus. The support will take the form of a €12.835 million direct
grant, which corresponds to the estimated damage directly caused to the airline in that period
according to a route-by-route analysis of the eligible routes. This follows the Commission decisions of
26 March 2021, 29 December 2020 and 4 September 2020 approving Italian damage compensation
measures in favour of Alitalia, compensating the airline for the damages suffered from 1 November
to 31 December 2020, 16 June to 31 October 2020 and 1 March to 15 June respectively. The total
amount of damage compensation aid in favour of Alitalia that has been notified by Italy and
approved by the Commission is now of more than €310 million. The Commission assessed the
measure under Article 107(2) (b) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),
which enables the Commission to approve State aid measures granted by Member States to
compensate specific companies or sectors for damage directly caused by exceptional occurrences.
The Commission considers that the coronavirus outbreak qualifies as such an exceptional occurrence,
as it is an extraordinary, unforeseeable event having significant economic impact. The Commission
found that the Italian measure will compensate for damages suffered by Alitalia which are directly
linked to the coronavirus outbreak, as the loss of profitability on certain routes as a result of the
containment measures during the relevant period can be considered as damage directly linked to the
exceptional occurrence. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the additional Italian damage
compensation measure is in line with EU State aid rules. The 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 2 299 05 26)

State aid: Commission approves €793 million Greek subsidised loan scheme to support
micro, small and medium-sized companies affected by coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €793 million Greek measure to support micro, small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved
under the State aid Temporary Framework. The public support will take the form of direct grants to
cover part of the instalments of existing financial debt, with a capped monthly contribution
depending on the credit status of the loan and of the beneficiary. The measure will be open to SMEs
that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak, active in all sectors of the economy, except for
the financial sector, which comply with additional conditions such as turnover or income, value of
immovable property owned, amount of deposits in Greece and amount of financial products
subscribed. The aid will provide liquidity support to qualifying beneficiaries for eight months. The
purpose of the measure is to safeguard businesses against the risk of default, allowing them to
preserve their economic activity, helping them recover after the outbreak, and mitigating potential
cliff effects from the end of the suspension of debt payments by banks in the context of the
outbreak. For most of the loans, the suspension ended at the end of March 2021. In addition, the
support under granted under this measure can be recovered if the beneficiary defaults on its
obligations during a monitoring period of up to 18 months following the granting of the aid. The
Commission found that the scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary
Framework. In particular, (i) the aid will not exceed €225,000 per company active in the primary
agricultural production, €270,000 per company active in the fishery and aquaculture sector, and €1.8
million per company active in all other sectors; (ii) medium-sized companies that were already in
difficulty on 31 December 2019 are not eligible; (iii) the aid will only be granted to micro and small

companies that are not subject to collective insolvency proceedings; and (iv) the aid will be granted
no later than 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
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.62341 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 2 299 05 26)

Aides d'État : La Commission autorise un régime belge de 255 millions d'euros en faveur
d'entreprises touchées indirectement par les décisions de fermeture en raison de la
pandémie de coronavirus
La Commission européenne a autorisé, conformément aux règles en matières d'aides d'État, un
régime belge d'un montant de 255 millions d'euros visant à soutenir les entreprises et les
indépendants en Wallonie qui réalisent une part importante de leur chiffres d'affaires avec des
entreprises touchées par les décisions de fermeture en raison de la pandémie de coronavirus. Le
régime a été autorisé sur la base de l'Encadrement temporaire en matière d'aides d'État. Le soutien,
qui prendra la forme de subventions directes, vise à atténuer les conséquences, pour le commerce
inter-entreprise (« business to business ») en Wallonie, des mesures restrictives imposées par les
autorités pour limiter la propagation du virus. Les entreprises et les indépendants dans la région
wallonne fournisseurs d'entreprises qui ont été affectées par ces mesures restrictives pourront
recevoir une aide dont le montant dépend (i) de la perte de chiffres d'affaire subie et (ii) du nombre
d'employés, avec un plafond de 50,000 euros par trimestre pour les entreprises les plus affectées.
L'objectif de ce régime est d'atténuer la soudaine pénurie de liquidités à laquelle les bénéficiaires
font face en raison de la crise du coronavirus. La Commission a estimé que le régime belge est
conforme aux conditions énumérées dans l'Encadrement temporaire. En particulier, (i) le montant de
l'aide n'excédera pas 1,8 million d'euros par bénéficiaire ; et (ii) l'aide sera accordée au plus tard le
31 décembre 2021. La Commission a conclu que la mesure était 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 conformément aux
règles en matières d'aides d'État. De plus amples informations sur l'Encadrement temporaire et les
autres mesures prises par la Commission pour faire face aux conséquences économiques de la
pandémie de coronavirus sont disponibles ici. La version non-confidentielle de la décision sera
publiée sous le numéro d'affaire SA.62884 dans le registre des aides d'État figurant sur le site web
de la Commission consacré à la concurrence, dès que les éventuels problèmes de confidentialité
auront été résolus. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti –
Tél.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 2 299 05 26)

State aid: Commission approves €63.2 million modification of Hungarian scheme to support
self-employed individuals in context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has found a €63.2 million (HUF 22.7 billion) modification of the Hungarian
aid scheme for the protection of the economy (case SA.59477, as amended by cases SA.60367,
SA.61329, SA.61842 and SA.62268) to be in line with EU State aid rules. The measure was approved
by the Commission under the State aid Temporary Framework. By this modification, Hungary
introduced a new measure to the existing scheme aiming at supporting self-employed individuals
(with no further employees) who have been severely affected by the coronavirus outbreak. This
measure will provide a direct grant equal to the Hungarian minimum wage (approximately €610 or
HUF 219,000) and will cover a period of three months (May to July 2021), during which the self-
employed persons are required to maintain their business active. The Commission found that this
modification is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid
(i) will not exceed 80% of the individuals' monthly income; and (ii) can be granted until 31
December 2021 at the latest. The Commission concluded that this modification 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 new measure under EU State aid rules. The non-confidential
version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.62913 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 2 299 05 26)

Aides d'État : La Commission autorise un régime belge de 27,8 millions d'euros en faveur
des entreprises et des travailleurs indépendants de Wallonie indirectement touchés par les
décisions de fermeture dans le contexte de la crise du coronavirus
La Commission européenne a autorisé, conformément aux règles en matières d'aides d'État, un
régime belge d'un montant de 27,8 millions d'euros visant à soutenir les entreprises et les
travailleurs indépendants de Wallonie indirectement touchés par les décisions de fermeture dans le
cadre de la crise du coronavirus. Le régime a été autorisé sur la base de l'Encadrement temporaire en
matière d'aides d'État. Le soutien, qui prendra la forme de subventions directes, vise à atténuer les
conséquences des mesures restrictives imposées par les autorités belges pour limiter la propagation
du virus. Les entreprises et les travailleurs indépendants de Wallonie indirectement touchés par les
décisions de fermeture dans la région wallonne recevront un montant fixe, calculé sur la base de la
perte de leur chiffre d'affaires au premier trimestre 2021 comparé à celui du premier trimestre 2019.
L'objective de ce régime est d'atténuer la soudaine pénurie de liquidités à laquelle les bénéficiaires
font face en raison de la crise du coronavirus. La Commission a estimé que le régime belge est
conforme aux conditions énumérées dans l'Encadrement Temporaire. En particulier, (i) le montant de
l'aide n'excédera pas 1,8 million d'euros par bénéficiaire ; et (ii) l'aide sera accordée au plus tard le
31 décembre 2021. La Commission a conclu que la mesure était 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 conformément aux
règles en matières d'aides d'État. De plus amples informations sur l'Encadrement temporaire et les
autres mesures prises par la Commission pour faire face aux conséquences économiques de la
pandémie de coronavirus sont disponibles ici. La version non-confidentielle de la décision sera
publiée sous le numéro d'affaire SA. 62883 dans le registre des aides d'État figurant sur le site web
de la Commission consacré à la concurrence, dès que les éventuels problèmes de confidentialité
auront été résolus. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti –
Tél.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32 2 299 05 26)

STATEMENTS

Joint European Union-United States Statement on addressing global steel and aluminium
excess capacity
European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, United States Trade
Representative Katherine Tai and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, have announced
today the start of discussions to address global steel and aluminium excess capacity and preserve
our critical industries. Our joint aim is to put an end to the WTO disputes following the U.S.
application of tariffs on imports from the EU under section 232 under the previous administration. In
this spirit, both sides have agreed to avoid changes that negatively affect bilateral trade. Therefore,
the EU intends to temporarily suspend the application of the automatic increase of its rebalancing
measures foreseen to enter in force on 1 June 2021. The EU and U.S. will engage in discussions
expeditiously to find solutions to this dispute, end the imposition of tariffs and to tackle global
excess capacity before the end of the year. Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said: “Our
decision to temporarily suspend the automatic increase in the EU's rebalancing measures against
U.S. 232 steel and aluminium tariffs shows that we are walking the talk in our efforts to reboot the
transatlantic relationship. This decision affirms our determination to find effective joint solutions to
this dispute which will end the tariffs imposed on the EU for reasons of national security, and to
tackle global steel and aluminium excess capacity, and preserve our critical industries. As early as
December 2020, the EU reached out to the Biden administration with a plan for a renewed EU-U.S.
agenda, and we are pleased to see this approach bearing fruit. By suspending our measures, we are
creating the space to resolve these issues before the end of the year. The EU is not a national
security threat to the U.S. But the distortions created by global excess capacity - driven largely by
third parties - pose a serious threat to the market-oriented EU and U.S. steel and aluminium
industries and the workers in those industries.” You will find further details in the joint EU-U.S.
statement. (For more information: Miriam García Ferrer – Tel.: +32 229 99075; Álvaro Rangel

Hernández – Tel.: +32 460 760854)

Statement by Executive Vice-President Vestager following today's Court judgments on the
Amazon and Engie tax State aid cases in Luxembourg
“All companies should pay their fair share of tax. Tax advantages given only to selected multinational
companies harm fair competition in the EU. They also deprive the public purse and European citizens
of funds for much needed investments to recover from the coronavirus crisis and seize the twin
transitions. Today, the General Court has delivered two judgments. It has confirmed the
Commission's June 2018 decision that Luxembourg granted illegal State aid to Engie through
selective tax breaks, but it annulled the Commission's October 2017 decision that Luxembourg
granted illegal State aid to Amazon. Both judgments confirm once more a key principle: while
Member States have exclusive competence to determine their taxation laws, they must do so in
respect of EU law, including State aid rules. As regards Engie in Luxembourg, the General Court has
confirmed the Commission's decision that a set of tax rulings issued by Luxembourg artificially
reduced Engie's tax bill by around €120 million. The tax rulings endorsed two financing structures
put in place by Engie that treated the same transaction both as debt and as equity, with the result
that its profits remained untaxed. The General Court has also confirmed that State aid enforcement
can be a tool to tackle abusive tax planning structures that deviate from the objectives of the general
tax system. As regards Amazon in Luxembourg, the Commission's decision concerned a tax ruling
issued by Luxembourg to Amazon, by virtue of which three quarters of the profits made from all
Amazon sales in the EU went untaxed until 2014. We will carefully study the judgment and reflect on
possible next steps. The Commission is using all tools at its disposal to fight unfair tax practices.
State aid enforcement works hand in hand with the EU's legislative action to address loopholes and
ensure transparency in fiscal matters. We are close to achieving a historic global agreement on the
reform of the international corporate tax framework. Moreover, the Commission is in the process of
putting forward a proposal for a digital levy, so that companies benefiting from the digital Single
Market fairly contribute to the EU budget. We need to seize the momentum to progress towards fair
taxation at all levels." The statement is also available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta
– Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 2 299 05 26)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioners Gabriel and Schmit participate in the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport
Council meeting
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Mariya Gabriel, will
participate in the Council meeting of education, youth, culture and sport ministers today and
tomorrow in Brussels. Agenda items include recovery from the COVID-19 crisis and cooperation
towards a more resilient and inclusive future. Ministers and Commissioner Gabriel will discuss how
to promote innovation, and foster European exchange in their respective policy areas. This morning,
Education Ministers agreed on a common framework regarding equity and inclusion in education and
training. These conclusions follow on from the Social Summit in Porto on 7-8 May, and will contribute
to building a more social and inclusive Europe. Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas
Schmit, will join the Council meeting for a working lunch on adult education, in particular the
renewal of the European agenda for adult education. Equity and inclusion are cornerstones of the
European Education Area and the Commission is advancing these principles through a number of
policy initiatives, supported by the new European Social Fund+ and the new Erasmus+ programme
for 2021-2027. The Commission will also soon propose a Council recommendation on blended
learning for high quality and inclusive primary and secondary education. The Council meetings this
afternoon and tomorrow will focus on youth participation in decision-making processes, the recovery
and sustainability of the creative sector, and sport innovation and diplomacy. On this occasion,
Commissioner Gabriel will present a number of actions, from the HealthyLifestyle4All initiative, set
to launch in September 2021, to the future EU Youth Coordinator, and the upcoming launch of an
interactive tool mapping EU financing for creative and cultural sectors. A press conference with
Commissioner Gabriel will take place at the end of each meeting, and will be broadcast on EbS.
More information is available on the Council meeting page. (For more information: Sonya
Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Sinéad Meehan - van Druten – Tel.: +32 229 84094)

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

Eurostat press releases
                                                        MEX/21/2526