European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 29 / 06 / 2021
Brussels, 29 June 2021
Nouveau pacte sur la migration et l'asile: Accord sur la nouvelle Agence de l'Union
européenne pour l'asile
Le Parlement européen et le Conseil ont conclu aujourd'hui un accord visant à transformer le Bureau
européen d'appui en matière d'asile en une Agence de l'Union européenne pour l'asile. Il s'agit d'une
des initiatives principales du nouveau pacte sur la migration et l'asile. La nouvelle agence contribuera
à rendre les procédures d'asile dans les États membres de meilleure qualité, plus uniformes et plus
rapides. Sa nouvelle réserve de 500 experts apportera également un soutien plus efficace aux
régimes d'asile nationaux confrontés à un nombre élevé de dossiers, ce qui rendra le système global
de gestion des migrations de l'UE plus efficace et plus durable. L'accord intervenu aujourd'hui est le
deuxième accord législatif sur les propositions relatives au nouveau pacte, qui fait suite à l'accord
intervenu en mai 2021 sur la directive «carte bleue». Les aspects opérationnels du nouveau pacte
sont également en cours de mise en œuvre, tels que le renforcement des travaux sur la dimension
extérieure de la politique migratoire, une meilleure coordination en matière de retour ou le
déploiement du contingent permanent de garde-frontières et de garde-côtes européens. Les
négociations sur les propositions législatives restantes se poursuivent au Parlement européen et au
Conseil. Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations : Adalbert
Jahnz - Tél. : +32 229 53156 ; Ciara Bottomley - Tél. : +32 229 69971 ; Laura Bérard - Tél. : +32
229 55721)

COVID-19 Therapeutics Strategy: Commission identifies five promising candidate
therapeutics
The EU Strategy on COVID-19 Therapeutics delivers today its first outcome, with the announcement
of the first portfolio of five therapeutics that could soon be available to treat patients across the EU.
Four of these therapeutics are monoclonal antibodies under rolling review by the European Medicines
Agency. Another one is an immunosuppressant, which has a marketing authorisation that could be
extended to include the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Commissioner for Health and Food Safety,
Stella Kyriakides, said: “Today we are taking the first step towards a broad portfolio of therapeutics
to treat COVID-19. Whilst vaccination is progressing at increasing speed, the virus will not disappear
and patients will need safe and effective treatments to reduce the burden of COVID-19. Our goal is
clear, we aim to identify more front-runner candidates under development and authorise at least
three new therapeutics by the end of the year. This is the European Health Union in action.” The five
products are in an advanced stage of development and have a high potential to be among the three
new COVID-19 therapeutics to receive authorisation by October 2021, the target set under the
Strategy, provided the final data demonstrate their safety, quality and efficacy. See the Press
Release and a Questions and Answers for further details. (For more information: Stefan de
Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tel.: +32 229 83978)

Coronavirus disinformation: new online platforms report show continued actions taken on
vaccines
The Commission publishes today the reports by Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Microsoft and Google on
measures taken in May against coronavirus disinformation as signatories of the Code of Practice on
Disinformation. Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said: “The pandemic has
reminded us all that proper and timely information can save lives and support the recovery. This
monitoring programme remains a test case for the platform that will inform the strengthening of the
Code of Practice on Disinformation.” Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market, added: “We
want online platforms to do more to make sure that the Code will excel as a DSA co-regulatory
instrument, and this monitoring programme is a concrete example where we can see progress. I
expect platforms to continue these efforts and strengthen the Code in line with the Guidance.”
Facebook reported that its vaccine profile frames, launched in April to encourage people to get

vaccinated, have been used by more than 5 million users globally in May. Twitter updated its user
notifications to a strike-based system with gradual account suspension to make users more aware
when their tweets are labelled or removed. TikTok collaborated with the Italian youth ministry on a
campaign to promote vaccination, and reported a tenfold increase of vaccine tagged videos across
Europe, compared to the previous month. Microsoft Bing's COVID-19 experience prompt keeps on
showing a detailed vaccine progress tracker when searching for related terms. Google rolled out its
search feature presenting a list of authorised vaccines, statistics and information throughout Europe
and is currently implementing additional information on where to get vaccinated. Still, more granular
data is needed for a better understanding of the impact of measures taken by platforms to fight
coronavirus related disinformation. Following the recently published Guidance, the lessons learned
from the current monitoring programme should feed into the setting up of a robust monitoring
framework, including clear performance indicators. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.:
+32 229 58615; Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391)

Climate Action: Data shows CO2 emissions from new cars strongly decreased in 2020, with
electric vehicles tripling their market share as new targets are applied
Provisional monitoring data, published today, shows that the average CO2 emissions of new cars
registered in the EU, Iceland, Norway and the UK in 2020 have decreased by 12% compared to
2019. This is by far the greatest annual decrease in emissions since CO2 standards started to apply
in 2010. It coincides with the phase in of stricter CO2 emissions standards for cars as of January 1,
2020. For the period 2020-2024, the Regulation sets the EU fleet-wide CO2 emission targets at 95
gCO2/km for newly registered cars and at 147g CO2/km for newly registered vans. The main reason
for this sharp decrease of CO2 emissions was the surge in the share of electric vehicle registrations,
which tripled from 3.5% in 2019 to over 11% in 2020. Despite the shrinking overall market for new
cars due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the total number of electric cars registered in 2020 still
increased, reaching for the first time over 1 million a year. The average CO2 emissions from new
vans sold in the EU, Iceland, Norway and the United Kingdom in 2020 also slightly decreased. The
provisional data shows that European legislation on CO2 emissions standards continues to be an
effective tool for reducing CO2 emissions from cars and vans, and that the shift to electro-mobility is
underway. Vehicle manufacturers have 3 months to review the data and may notify the Commission
if they believe there are any errors in the dataset. The final data, to be published at the end of
October 2021, will be the basis for the Commission to determine manufacturers' compliance with
their specific emission targets, and whether any fines are due for excess emissions. The revision of
the current CO2 emissions standards to align them with the EU's higher new climate ambitions will
be part of the Commission's Fit for 55 proposals, due for adoption on 14 July. For more information
please see here. (For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Lynn Rietdorf – Tel.:
+32 229 74959)

Occupational safety and health: Commission adopts EU strategic framework on health and
safety at work 2021-2027
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how crucial occupational health and safety (OSH) is for
protecting workers' health, for the functioning of our society, and for the continuity of critical
economic and social activities. In this context, the Commission is renewing its commitment to
update occupational safety and health rules. The Commission has adopted yesterday, on 28 June,
the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027. It sets out the key actions
needed to improve workers' health and safety over the coming years. This new strategy focuses on
three cross-cutting objectives, namely managing change brought by green, digital and demographic
transitions as well as changes to the traditional work environment, improving prevention of accidents
and illnesses, and increasing preparedness for any potential future crises. Executive Vice President
for an Economy that Works for People, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “The EU's legislation on
occupational safety and health is essential for protecting almost 170 million workers, peoples' lives
and the functioning of our societies. The world of work is changing, driven by green, digital and
demographic transitions. Healthy and safe work environments also reduce costs for people,
businesses and society as whole. That is why maintaining and improving protection standards for
workers remains a priority for an economy that works for people. We need more EU action to make
our workplaces fit for the future.” Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights, Nicolas Schmit, said:
“Principle 10 of the European Pillar of Social Rights gives workers the right to a high level of
protection of their health and safety at work. As we build back better from the crisis, this principle
should be at the centre of our action. We must commit to a ‘vision zero' approach when it comes to
work-related deaths in the EU. Being healthy at work is not only about our physical state, it is also
about our mental health and well-being.” The joint press conference by Executive Vice President

Dombrovskis and Commissioner Schmit can be watched again on EbS. A press release, Q&A and
factsheet are available online. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32 229 58197; Flora
Matthaes – Tel.: +32 229 83951)

NextGenerationEU: Commission carries out €800 million of first payments to foster crisis
repair and resilience
The Commission has disbursed €800 million in payments under #NextGenerationEU, the temporary
instrument to finance Europe's recovery and foster a greener, more digital and resilient economy
after the pandemic. The disbursements made today are going to 41 national and regional
programmes in 16 Member States from the Recovery Assistance for Cohesion and the Territories of
Europe initiative (REACT-EU), the initiative that helps Member States finance crisis response and
recovery measures following the coronavirus pandemic. The funds under the REACT-EU constitute
additional resources for existing Cohesion policy programmes. Commissioner for Cohesion and
Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: "I am glad that Cohesion policy remains at the forefront of crisis
response and recovery. REACT-EU was the first NextGenerationEU Instrument to be finalised, its
programmes were the first ones to be adopted and it is now the first channelling support to our
economy, businesses and workers. REACT-EU brings much needed additional investment firepower to
existing Cohesion policy programmes to further stimulate a robust, fair and cohesive recovery.”
Commissioner for Budget and Administration, Johannes Hahn, added: “I am very happy that we
succeeded to kick-start the NextGenerationEU issuances as scheduled. As of today money under
NextGenerationEU is already used via REACT-EU to help our regions and cities recover from the
pandemic and build a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe.” All details in our press
release. (For more information: (For more information: Vivian Loonela - Tel.: +32 229 66712; Balazs
Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Veronica Favalli - Tel.: +32 229 87269; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229
56859)

Better Regulation: Commission publishes 2020 Annual Burden Survey
The European Commission has today published the 2020 Annual Burden Survey – an annual
overview of the EU's efforts to simplify legislation – laying out several concrete examples of how EU
legislation was simplified in areas ranging from financial services, taxation and customs to transport
and the environment. In 2020, achievements included adopting 26 legislative initiatives aimed at
simplifying or reducing the administrative burden of EU rules, and finalising 25 evaluations and
fitness checks. Maros Šefčovič, Vice-President for Interinstitutional Relations and Foresight, said:
“As Europe's recovery soars ahead, it is essential that we have a high-quality and efficient legislative
framework in place. This entails identifying opportunities for the further simplification and
digitalisation of EU law to maximise its direct benefits for Europeans and our businesses on the
ground. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure precisely that, building on the excellent work
done so far. This annual overview shows us where we are, and what we need to strive for.” Initiatives
to simplify, reduce administrative burdens or modernise EU legislation in 2020 include, for example,
the Commission's proposal for an EU Single Window Environment for Customs – a forward-looking
digital solution for quicker and more efficient sharing of electronic data between different
governmental authorities involved in goods clearance at the EU border, allowing traders to submit
data only once. The fitness check of the ambient air Directives, which sets limits for key pollutants
and air quality standards, identified administrative burdens that will be addressed in the upcoming
revision proposal aimed at reducing ambiguities in the monitoring criteria and simplifying reporting
requirements. The Commission also adopted a proposal to revise the TEN-E Regulation aiming to
ensure more efficient reporting and simplified permitting procedures in view of the EU's energy and
climate objectives part of the Green Deal. The Annual Burden Surveys are part of the Better
Regulation Agenda and Regulatory Fitness and Performance Programme (REFIT) . (For more
information: Daniel Ferrie - Tel.: +322 298 6500; Tel.: Aikaterini Apostola +32 229 87624)

EU Industrial Forum takes forward the Industrial Strategy agenda
Today, the Commission is convening the second meeting of the EU Industrial Forum, an open and
inclusive consultative body that supports the Commission in the implementation of the Industrial
Strategy. The Forum gathers to discuss actions foreseen in the European Industrial Strategy as
updated in May 2021, in particular the development of transition pathways to help accelerate the
green and digital transformations of our industry while increasing its resilience, and support further
analysis of Europe's strategic dependencies. Today's discussion focuses on the tourism ecosystem
and the Forum's work programme for the next years. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager
and Commissioner Thierry Breton are attending the Industrial Forum. The Forum consists of a wide

array of stakeholders, including industry - SMEs and big companies, Member States, NGOs, research
institutions and social partners representing different industrial ecosystems. The objective of the
Forum is to deepen the systematic analyses of industrial ecosystems presented in the Updated
Industrial Strategy and identify cross-border and cross-ecosystem investment needs and cooperation
opportunities. The Forum aims at helping the Commission to deliver on transition pathways in
different ecosystems, starting with priority ones identified by the Commission, namely tourism,
energy-intensive industries, construction and mobility ecosystems. In addition, the Forum aims to
support a better understanding of the strategic dependencies and vulnerabilities in the EU economy,
tapping into the expertise of all its members. To this end, the Commission is setting up a dedicated
and open collaborative workspace online, inviting all stakeholders to submit contributions relevant to
the work of the Forum. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Federica
Miccoli – Tel.: +32 229 58300)

Eurobarometer: Europeans' use and views of electronic communications in the EU
The Commission published the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey on e-communications in
the EU. The survey, conducted from November to December 2020 and from February to March 2021,
shows Europeans' use of and satisfaction with electronic communication services, including with
internet, fixed and mobile telephone access, service bundles, roaming, emergency and international
communication within the EU and more. The survey indicates that nearly all Europeans have mobile
phones (96% of respondents), while 53% have fixed phone lines. When it comes to internet
connections, 81% of citizens are satisfied with the quality of download speeds and 82% with the
quality of upload speeds. Those numbers are lower in rural villages, where 77% of respondents are
satisfied with the quality of their connections. A third (33%) of respondents have experienced lower
mobile internet speed while roaming in another EU country compared to in their home country. This
edition of the Eurobarometer also asked citizens about the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on
their internet subscriptions and found that 7% of Europeans made changes to their internet
subscription, while 3% switched their internet provider. On emergency communications, 74% of
Europeans say that in their own country they would call the 112 number and 41% would dial 112
when in another country. The Eurobarometer is set against the backdrop of the European Electronic
Communications Code, which updated the EU electronic communications regulatory framework in
2018 to expand consumers' rights and operators' incentives for investments in advanced networks.
More information about the results and the Eurobarometer report are available online. (For more
information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Marietta Grammenou – Tel.: +32 229 83583)

L'Union européenne et le Royaume du Maroc engagent des travaux en vue d'un ‘partenariat
vert'
Frans Timmermans, vice-président exécutif chargé du Pacte vert européen, et Olivér Varhélyi,
commissaire chargé de la politique de voisinage et de l'élargissement, et Virginijus Sinkevičius,
commissaire chargé de l'environnement, les océans et la pêche ont représenté hier la Commission
lors d'un événement virtuel de haut niveau avec le Royaume du Maroc, où les deux parties ont
annoncé leur intention d'établir un partenariat vert. Le Maroc a été représenté à cette réunion par le
ministre des affaires étrangères, de la coopération internationale et des Marocains résidant à
l'étranger, Nasser Bourita ; le ministre de l'économie, des finances et de la réforme de
l'administration, Mohamed Benchaâboun; et le ministre de l'énergie, des mines et de
l'environnement, Aziz Rebbah. Leurs discussions ont porté sur les moyens de renforcer leur
coopération dans la lutte contre le changement climatique, et sur leur collaboration pour faire
avancer leur transition énergétique, protéger l'environnement et stimuler l'économie verte. Le
partenariat vert avec le Maroc visera à faire progresser la mise en œuvre de l'accord de Paris. Lors de
l'événement de haut niveau, le vice-président exécutif Timmermans a déclaré : « Notre objectif est
d'amener tous les pays à participer à une course mondiale à émissions zéro. Avec son nouvel objectif
climatique plus ambitieux pour 2030, le Maroc fait déjà preuve d'un engagement fort en faveur de
l'action climatique. Nous allons à présent travailler conjointement vers un partenariat vert, afin de
partager les meilleures pratiques et de développer des projets communs en matière d'économie
circulaire, de finance verte et d'énergie propre ». Le commissaire Varhélyi a ajouté : « Alors que
nous sortons de la pandémie, nous avons l'opportunité de relancer nos économies sur une base
durable. Le plan économique et d'investissement de l'UE pour le voisinage sud va changer la donne.
L'UE et le Maroc s'engagent ensemble dans une relance économique qui permettra de ‘reconstruire
en mieux' ». Dans le contexte de la coopération renforcée, l'Union européenne et le Maroc ont
annoncé le versement de 12 millions d'euros dans le cadre du programme pour la Compétitivité et la
Croissance Verte, qui soutient les réformes de la transition verte pour les industries et la
convergence réglementaire. Ils ont également annoncé la signature d'une convention de financement

pour un programme de développement rural auquel l'UE contribuera avec un investissement de 20
millions d'euros et l'Agence française de développement (AFD) avec un prêt de 150 millions d'euros.
Pour le prochain cycle de programmation (2021-2027), environ 30% du budget de l'UE pour
l'instrument de coopération extérieure (NDICI-Global Europe) seront consacrés à la lutte contre
l'atténuation et l'adaptation au changement climatique. La coopération future avec les pays
partenaires sera guidée par le plan économique et d'investissement (PEI) pour le voisinage sud, d'un
montant maximal de 7 milliards d'euros, annoncé en février 2021. Les remarques du vice-président
exécutif Frans Timmermans et du Commissaire Olivér Varhélyi sont disponibles ici et là. Plus
d'informations sur l'événement sont disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Tim McPhie – Tél.:
+32 229 58602; Ana Pisonero – Tél.: +32 229 54320; Lynn Rietdorf – Tél.: +32 229 74959) ; Elisa
Castillo Nieto — Tél.: +32 2 29 63803)

COVID-19: EU helps deliver vaccines to Kosovo
The European Union is helping Norway to deliver over 180,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Kosovo,
following Kosovo's request for assistance via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The Commission
coordinates and finances up to 75% of the costs for transporting the assistance. Commissioner for
Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us. The EU is
committed to help share the vaccines globally - we can beat the pandemic only if we act together. I
thank Norway for its generous offer to Kosovo. Our Emergency Response Coordination Centre is ready
to help facilitate further vaccine sharing.” Since the beginning of the pandemic, the EU Civil
Protection Mechanism has coordinated and co-financed the delivery of 140,000 masks and other
personal protective items, as well as disinfectants, oxygen generators and antigen tests to Kosovo
from Slovenia, Czechia and France. The full press release is available online (For more information:
Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Commission (Eurostat) publishes first statistics on short-stay accommodation booked via
collaborative economy platforms
Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, published today first key data on short-stay
accommodation booked via four private platforms active in the tourism sector. This is a result of the
March 2020 landmark agreement between the Commission and Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group and
Tripadvisor, which began collaboration between these platforms and Eurostat. The data published
today are a first step and will be regularly updated by Eurostat. In particular, they cover national,
regional and city-level data on the number of stays booked and the number of nights spent in
accommodation booked via these four platforms. They will offer useful inputs for policy makers and
will feed into the process of co-creating a transition pathway for a more sustainable, innovative and
resilient tourism ecosystem. Commissioner Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy, said: “This
successful collaboration between Eurostat and the four main platforms for short-term rental
accommodation is a model for providing more comprehensive and reliable statistics through access
to privately held data. The figures published today are an important source of information for
European public authorities and can contribute to better policy-making, while protecting personal
information.” Commissioner Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market, said: “The COVID-19
pandemic heavily impacted the tourism industry, a key sector of the EU's economy. Like other
European industries, the future of tourism will hinge on our collective ability to transition to a
greener, more digital and resilient future. By 2030, Europe should be a top quality destination known
globally for its sustainable offer, and attracting responsible and environmentally conscious travelers.
The comprehensive data on short-term accommodation rentals published today will support public
authorities in developing evidence-based policies.” 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 extends investigation into proposed public support for Samsung
plant in Hungary
The European Commission has extended its ongoing in-depth State aid investigation into the
proposed public support for a Samsung plant in Hungary. In October 2019, the Commission opened
an in-depth investigation to assess whether Hungary's plans to grant €108 million of public support
to Samsung SDI for investing in the expansion of its battery cell production facility in Göd (Hungary)
is in line with EU rules on regional State aid. In particular, the Commission is further investigating, if
the measure had an “incentive effect”, i.e. if the aid was necessary to attract the investment to
Hungary. The Commission also had doubts in relation to the public support's contribution to regional
development and on its appropriateness and proportionality, as well as on the risk of relocation of

jobs from other Member States to Hungary. After the opening of investigation, Samsung SDI and
Hungary submitted new claims and evidence, supporting a different narrative to justify the necessity
of the aid. In particular: (i) Hungary now argues that Samsung could have benefitted from an
investment grant and a tax exemption in an alternative location outside the EU, which would have
increased the viability of the alternative location with respect to Hungary; and (ii) new documentary
evidence disclosed by Hungary shows that the location search for the investment project by
Samsung had included also a number of greenfield investment sites (new production facilities) in
Europe and, in particular, an alternative location in a less developed region in the EU. Due to these
new elements, the Commission has decided to extend the scope of the ongoing procedure to cover
the new information brought forward by Hungary. The extension of the in-depth investigation
provides all interested parties with an opportunity to comment on the measures. It does not
prejudge in any way the outcome of the investigation. More information will be available on the
Commission's competition website in the public case register under the case number SA.48556 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 €90 million Hungarian investment aid to SKBM's electric
vehicle battery plant
The European Commission has found Hungary's €90 million investment aid to SKBM for a new
battery cell plant in the Közép-Dunántúl (Central Transdanubia) region to be in line with EU State aid
rules. The aid will contribute to the region's development, whilst preserving competition. SKBM is a
subsidiary of SK Innovation, owned by the South Korean energy and chemicals SK Group. The €90
million investment aid will support SKBM's €630 million investment in a new production plant for
lithium-ion battery cells. Battery cells store the energy and are thus the main components of lithium-
ion batteries, which are used in consumer electronics, energy storage systems and electric vehicles.
SKBM's new plant will manufacture cells for electric vehicles batteries. The project, which started in
March 2019 and is planned to be completed in 2022, is expected to create significant direct and
indirect jobs. The production plant is located in Komárom, in the Közép-Dunántúl (Central
Transdanubia) region - an area eligible for regional aid under Art. 107(3)(a) of the Treaty on the
functioning of the European Union. It is located next to a battery plant established in 2017 by SKBH,
another subsidiary of SK Innovation. The Commission assessed the aid measure under the Guidelines
on Regional State Aid for 2014-2020, prolonged until 31 December 2021, which enable Member
States to support economic development and employment in the EU's less developed regions and to
foster regional cohesion in the Single Market. The Commission found that: (i) the investment aid will
contribute to job creation as well as to the economic development and to the competitiveness of a
disadvantaged region; and (ii) the aid is limited to the minimum necessary to trigger the investment
in Hungary and complies with all aid intensity requirements, also taking into account the aid already
received for the existing SKBH plant, which Hungary granted under the General Block Exemption
Regulation. The Commission concluded that the positive effects of the project on regional
development clearly outweigh any distortion of competition brought about by the State aid. The non-
confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.58633 in the
State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have
been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are
listed in the Competition Weekly e-News. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229
87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Aides d'État: la Commission autorise un régime français d'un montant de 60 millions
d'euros visant à soutenir les entreprises du secteur de l'élevage de bovins à viande dans le
contexte de la pandémie de coronavirus
La Commission européenne a autorisé un régime français d'un montant de 60 millions d'euros visant
à soutenir les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) du secteur de l'élevage de bovins à viande
touchées par la pandémie de coronavirus. Ce régime a été autorisé en vertu de l'encadrement
temporaire des aides d'État. Dans le cadre du régime, le soutien public prendra la forme de
subventions directes. Les entreprises du secteur de l'élevage de bovins à viande, comptant au moins
10 animaux admissibles, pourront bénéficier de cette mesure. Le régime vise à atténuer les pénuries
de liquidités auxquelles les bénéficiaires doivent faire face en raison de la pandémie de coronavirus.
Les bénéficiaires admissibles seront indemnisés jusqu'à 80 % environ des pertes subies entre avril
2020 et mars 2021. La mesure devrait bénéficier à 22 000 entreprises agricoles. La Commission a
estimé que le régime français était conforme aux conditions énoncées dans l'encadrement
temporaire. Plus particulièrement, les aides i) ne dépasseront pas 225 000 euros par bénéficiaire et
ii) seront accordées au plus tard le 31 décembre 2021. 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 en
vertu des règles de l'UE en matière d'aides d'État. De plus amples informations sur l'encadrement
temporaire et les autres mesures prises par la Commission pour faire face à l'incidence économique
de la pandémie de coronavirus sont disponibles ici. La version non confidentielle de la décision sera
publiée sous le numéro SA.63564 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.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €20 million Dutch scheme to support the agricultural and
horticultural sectors in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €20 million Dutch scheme to support producers active in
the primary agricultural and horticultural sectors affected by the coronavirus outbreak and by the
restrictive measures that the Dutch government had to implement in order to limit the spread of the
virus. The scheme was approved under the State Aid Temporary Framework. The aid, which will take
the form of direct grants, will provide support for the uncovered fixed costs incurred by agricultural
and horticultural producers that suffered a decline in turnover of at least 30% during the eligible
period between 1 January and 30 June 2021, compared to the corresponding period in 2019. The
beneficiaries will be entitled to receive support amounting to a maximum of 70% of their uncovered
fixed costs incurred in the eligible period. The aim of the scheme is to help beneficiaries continue
their activities during and after the outbreak. The Commission found that the Dutch scheme is in line
with the conditions of the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i) will not exceed €1.1
million for small and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') and €1.2 million for large ones (i.e. it will
not exceed the maximum amount of €10 million per beneficiary, as provided by the Temporary
Framework); and (ii) 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 scheme 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.63576 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 Portuguese scheme to support micro, small and
medium-sized enterprises in the outermost region of the Azores in the context of the
coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €8 million Portuguese scheme to support micro and small
and medium-sized enterprises (‘SMEs') affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the outermost region
of the Azores. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The measure
will be open to companies that are active in the most severely impacted sectors such as for example
the tourism and hospitality sectors, and that faced a decline in turnover of at least 25% over the
second quarter of 2021, compared to the same period in 2019. Under the scheme, the public support
will take the form of direct grants covering up to 40% of the decline in turnover suffered by the
beneficiary, and with a maximum aid amount of € 12,000 for micro enterprises, € 48,000 for small
enterprises and € 50,000 for medium-sized enterprises. The Commission found that the Portuguese
measure is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, the aid (i)
will not exceed the limits per beneficiary set by the Temporary Framework; and (ii) 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.63378 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)

Concentrations: La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Solina par Astorg
La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition de Solina Corporate S.A.S., basée en France, ainsi que de ses filiales (ensemble,
«Solina»), par Astorg Asset Management S.à.r.l («Astorg»), basée au Luxembourg. Solina fournit des
ingrédients aromatiques et fonctionnels à l'industrie agroalimentaire, la restauration et le commerce
de détail, ainsi que dans le secteur de la nutrition. Astorg est actif dans le secteur des prises de
participation privées et gère des fonds actifs dans un large éventail d'industries. La Commission a
conclu que l'acquisition envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence car les
chevauchements entre les activités des entreprises sont très limités, et compte tenu de son impact
très limité sur la structure du marché. La transaction a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure
simplifiée de 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.10312. (Pour plus d'informations: Arianna Podesta – Tél.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tél.: +32
229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of ATI's European Communication Infrastructure
Business by CDPQ and ATI
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over ATI's European Communication Infrastructure Business by Caisse de dépôt et placement
du Québec (‘CDPQ') of Canada and American Tower International Inc. (‘ATI') of the US The acquired
business is the European arm of ATI, and it offers mobile network operator-neutral telecom hosting
services on passive wireless communications infrastructure sites in France, Germany, Poland and
Spain. CDPQ is a long-term institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and para-
public pension and insurance plans in the Province of Québec. ATI is a wholly owned subsidiary of
American Towers LLC, which is itself a wholly owned subsidiary of the American Tower Corporation
(‘ATC'). ATC is an independent owner and operator of passive wireless communications
infrastructure, which has infrastructure sites in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. The
Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that
the companies' activities do not overlap 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.10328. (For
more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

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

Eurostat press releases

As of 1 July the Spokesperson's Service will re-open the Berlaymont press room to a limited
number of journalists. For more information, please see here.
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