European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 28 / 05 / 2021
Brussels, 28 May 2021
The European Union outlines a €3 billion economic support package to a future democratic
Belarus
Today, the European Commission is presenting to the Council its outline for a comprehensive plan of
economic support to a future democratic Belarus. The plan, of up to €3 billion, reflects the European
Union's commitment to support the Belarusian people's wishes for a peaceful democratic transition in
the country following the Presidential elections of August 2020, which were neither free nor fair.
Once Belarus embarks on a democratic transition, the EU will activate the support plan. President
von der Leyen said: “Our messages are twofold. To the people of Belarus: we see and hear your
desire for change, for democracy, and for a bright future. And to the Belarusian authorities: no
amount of repression, brutality or coercion will bring any legitimacy to your authoritarian regime. So
far, you have blatantly ignored the democratic choice of the Belarusian people. It is time to change
course. When – and we believe it is a case of when, not if – Belarus starts its peaceful democratic
transition, the EU will be there to accompany it.” The support plan highlights several indicative
measures to enhance Belarus' resilience: boosting the country's economic recovery; addressing key
structural reforms; and investing in sustainable infrastructure and the green and digital
transformations. To deliver tangible results, the EU, including the European Commission in
cooperation with International Financing Institutions, will support flagship investments, from
supporting economic growth to connectivity, boosting innovation and supporting climate action, and
supporting democracy, transparency and accountability. In addition and complementary to the
economic plan, the EU will offer to conclude a bilateral framework agreement in order to reinforce the
longer-term relations between the EU and a democratic Belarus. A full press release is available
online, together with a factsheet. (For more information: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 229 54320; Adam
Kaznowski – Tel.: +32 229 89359; Zoï Muletier – Tel.: +32 229 94306)

Consumer protection: European Commission and national consumer protection authorities
launch dialogue with TikTok
Today, the European Commission and the network of national consumer authorities (CPC) have
launched a formal dialogue with TikTok to review its commercial practices and policy. This follows an
alert by the European Consumer Organisation (BEUC) earlier this year about TikTok's breaches of EU
consumer rights. Areas of specific concern include hidden marketing, aggressive advertising
techniques targeted at children, and certain contractual terms in TikTok's policies that could be
considered misleading and confusing for consumers. Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice,
said: “The current pandemic has further accelerated digitalisation. This has brought new
opportunities but it has also created new risks, in particular for vulnerable consumers. In the
European Union, it is prohibited to target children and minors with disguised advertising such as
banners in videos. The dialogue we are launching today should support TikTok in complying with EU
rules to protect consumers.” TikTok has a month to reply and engage with the Commission and CPC
authorities, co-led by the Swedish Consumer Agency and the Irish Competition and Consumer
Protection Commission. More information on how the Commission works with CPC authorities to
investigate and tackle breaches of EU consumer law is available here. (For more information:
Christian Wigand — Tel. + 32 229 62253; Katarzyna Kolanko — Tel.: + 32 229 63444; Jördis Ferroli
— Tel.: + 32 229 92729)

Recovery and Resilience Facility: Finland submits official recovery and resilience plan
The Commission has received an official recovery and resilience plan from Finland. This plan sets out
the reforms and public investment projects that Finland plans to implement with the support of the
Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). The RRF is the key instrument at the heart of
NextGenerationEU, the EU's plan for emerging stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic. It will provide
up to €672.5 billion to support investments and reforms (in 2018 prices). This breaks down into

grants worth a total of €312.5 billion and €360 billion in loans. The RRF will play a crucial role in
helping Europe emerge stronger from the crisis, and securing the green and digital transitions. The
presentation of this plan follows an intensive dialogue between the Commission and the Finnish
authorities over the past number of months. The Commission will assess the plan within the next two
months based on the eleven criteria set out in the Regulation and translate their contents into legally
binding acts. The Commission has now received a total of 19 recovery and resilience plans, from
Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Finland. It will continue to
engage intensively with the remaining Member States to help them deliver high quality plans. A
press release and a Q&A are available online. (For more information: Marta Wieczorek – Tel.: +32
229 58197; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Ukraine: EU allocates €25.4 million in humanitarian aid
As the conflict in eastern Ukraine enters its eighth year, the European Commission announced
yesterday €25.4 million in humanitarian aid to help people still suffering from the ongoing hostilities.
This brings the total of EU humanitarian aid to €190 million since the start of the conflict. Janez
Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, said: “The conflict in eastern Ukraine continues to
take a heavy toll on civilians, while the attention of the media and international community is fading.
The EU continues to address the humanitarian needs on both sides of the contact line. While our help
remains there for those largely suffering in silence lasting solutions for peace and stability must be
pursued.” The funding will help the conflict-affected people access healthcare, including better
preparation and response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and protection services such as legal support.
It will also amongst others, help to repair damaged houses, schools and hospitals. The full press
release is available here. Also yesterday, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call on topics of common interest. A joint
statement published following the call is available here. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.:
+32 229 54578; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 229 69140)

Antitrust: Commission publishes findings of evaluation on the Motor Vehicle Block
Exemption Regulation
The European Commission has published today the Evaluation Report and Staff Working Document
summarising the findings of its evaluation of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation. The aim
of the evaluation was to gather evidence on the functioning of the rules applicable to vertical
agreements in the automotive sector, in order to decide whether they should lapse, be renewed in its
current form or be revised. The evaluation has covered the whole regime applicable to the
automotive sector, including the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation and the Supplementary
Guidelines as well as the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and the Guidelines on vertical
restraints, as far as they apply to the automotive sector. In December 2018, the Commission
launched the review of the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation, which will expire on 31 May
2023. The evaluation has shown that, overall, the competitive environment in the motor vehicle
markets has not significantly changed since the Commission last evaluated these markets in 2010,
but that the sector is now under intense pressure to adapt in line with the green and digital
transformation. The Commission analysed the competitive landscape in three markets: (i) vehicle
distribution, (ii) vehicle repair and maintenance and (iii) sale of spare parts. The Evaluation Report
concludes that the current regime has shown itself to be suitable and adapted to diverse situations.
Nevertheless, some provisions and policy objectives may need updating in the light of the report.
The Commission will now start the policy-making stage of the review, in order to decide by 31 May
2023 whether to renew the current Motor Vehicle Block Exemption regime, revise it or let it lapse.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Our evaluation
has shown that the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation has made it easier for businesses in
the automotive sector to assess whether their agreements are in line with the EU rules on
competition. At the same time, it showed that we need to take into account the emergence of new
technologies and the increasing role of data in competitive dynamics in this industry. The
Commission will therefore reflect on how to address these issues to ensure that the rules remain fit
for a rapidly changing automotive industry.” The full press release can be found here. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Antitrust: Commission re-adopts decision and fines ICAP €6.45 million for facilitating
several cartels in the Yen Interest Rate Derivatives trading market
The European Commission has re-adopted a cartel decision against ICAP for having breached EU

antitrust rules by facilitating several cartels in the area of the Yen Interest Rate Derivatives (‘YIRDs')
trading market. The European Commission has now imposed total fines of €6.45 million on ICAP plc
(now called NEX International Limited), ICAP Management Services Ltd, and ICAP New Zealand
Limited. YIRDs are financial products, used by banks or companies to manage the risk of interest
rate fluctuations. In February 2015, the Commission adopted a decision imposing fines on the same
ICAP entities for facilitating six bilateral infringements in the YIRDs sector. In November 2017, the
General Court annulled one out of the six infringements and shortened the duration of four
infringements. The General Court also annulled the fines imposed on ICAP for inadequate reasoning.
In July 2019, the Court of Justice dismissed the Commission's appeal and, as ICAP did not appeal,
the General Court's findings on ICAP's liability for the five infringements became final, albeit without
fines. Today's decision, correcting the procedural error and including a detailed reasoning on the fine
calculation, imposes fines on the three entities of ICAP having participated in the five infringements
at the time. The decision is in line with Commission's policy of pursuing an effective and deterrent
enforcement against cartels. The decision will be made available under case number 39861 in the
public case register on the Commission's competition website. More information on the Commission's
action against cartels is available in the cartels section of the competition website. (For more
information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €25 million Irish scheme to support commercial venues,
producers and promoters of live performances in the context of the coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €25 million Irish scheme to support commercial venues,
producers and promoters of live performances in the context of the coronavirus outbreak. The
measure was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. Under the scheme, the aid will
take the form of direct grants. The measure aims at supporting commercial venues, producers and
promoters of live performances covering the costs for the employment of artists and musicians of all
genres, performers, technicians and other support staff. It will help the beneficiaries minimise the
risks linked to the preparation of new productions, which may subsequently have to be postponed,
cancelled or curtailed due to restrictive measures that the Irish authorities had to introduce to limit
the spread of the coronavirus. The Commission found that the Irish measure is in line with the
conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed €1.8
million per company as provided by the Temporary Framework; and (ii) 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 of 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.63067 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition
website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta
– Tel.: +32 229 87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €20 million Italian scheme to support companies active in
road passenger transport affected by coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved a €20 million Italian scheme to support companies active in
road passenger transport affected by the coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the
State aid Temporary Framework. The aid will take the form of direct grants. The scheme is open to
bus companies that operate road passenger transport services on medium and long-haul routes that
are not subject to a public service obligation (‘PSO'). The purpose of the measure is to mitigate the
sudden liquidity shortages that the affected companies are facing due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Commission found that the Italian measure is in line with the conditions set out in the
Temporary Framework. In particular, the support (i) will not exceed €1.8 million per company; 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, pursuant to Article 107(3)(b) of the TFEU and of the conditions of 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.62718 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 €7.9 million Czech scheme to support workers and
companies in audiovisual sector in context of coronavirus outbreak
The European Commission has approved an approximately €7.9 million (CZK 200 million) Czech
scheme to support film production workers, producers, distributors and cinemas in the context of the
coronavirus outbreak. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Framework. The
public support will take the form of direct grants. The amount of aid will be calculated on the basis of
lost income, as well as costs borne by producers and distributors that cannot be recouped. The
purpose of the measures is to mitigate the impact on the beneficiaries of the restrictive measures
that the Czech government had to impose to limit the spread of coronavirus, and to help them
resume their activities after the outbreak. The Commission found that the Czech scheme is in line
with the conditions set out in the Temporary Framework. In particular, (i) the support will not exceed
€1.8 million per company, and (ii) the aid will be granted no later than 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.62362 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website, once any
confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229
87024; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of a newly created joint venture by
Colony Capital and Goldman Sachs
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint
control over a newly created joint venture of Singapore by Colony Capital, Inc. and the Goldman
Sachs Group, Inc., both of the U.S. The new joint venture is created for the purposes of constructing,
owning and operating green field data centres, or acquiring data centre assets in Japan. Colony
Capital manages a global portfolio composed of, amongst other, investments in digital infrastructure,
including macro cell towers, data centres, small cell networks and fibre networks. Goldman Sachs is
a global investment banking, securities and investment management firm that provides a range of
banking, securities and investment services worldwide to a substantial and diversified client base
that includes corporations, financial institutions, governments and high-net-worth individuals. The
Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because
the joint venture has no actual or foreseen activities within 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.10253. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Première visite du commissaire Várhelyi en Libye pour rencontrer le nouveau gouvernement
d'unité nationale
Le commissaire Olivér Várhelyi se rend aujourd'hui en Libye en compagnie du ministre italien des
affaires étrangères Luigi Di Maio et du ministre maltais des affaires étrangères Evarist Bartolo. Il
s'agit de la première visite officielle d'un commissaire européen auprès du nouveau gouvernement
libyen d'unité nationale formé plus tôt cette année. Au cours de leur mission, ils rencontreront le
Premier ministre Dbeibah, le ministre des Affaires étrangères Mangouch et le ministre de l'Intérieur
Mazen. Cette visite sera l'occasion de confirmer le réengagement de l'UE auprès des autorités
libyennes, illustré par la récente réouverture de la délégation de l'UE à Tripoli, et de discuter de la
coopération globale, notamment en matière de relance économique et de gestion de la migration.
L'UE est le principal fournisseur d'aide en Libye, avec une enveloppe d'environ 700 millions d'euros
pour la période 2014-2020, dans des domaines tels que le développement humain, la bonne
gouvernance, l'entrepreneuriat, l'autonomisation des jeunes, les droits de l'homme, la réponse à la

COVID-19 ou la gestion de la migration. La majeure partie de l'aide de l'UE à la Libye, 455 millions
d'euros, provient du Fonds fiduciaire d'urgence de l'UE pour l'Afrique. Plus d'informations sur les
relations entre l'UE et la Libye sont disponibles ici. Des images seront disponibles sur EbS, les
remarques seront disponibles ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Ana Pisonero - Tél: +32 229 54320 ; Zoï
Muletier - Tél: +32 229 94306)

La Semaine verte de l'UE 2021 met l'accent sur la pollution zéro
Du 31 mai au 4 juin 2021, la Semaine verte de l'UE, le plus grand événement annuel européen sur la
politique environnementale, se concentrera sur l'ambition de l'UE en matière de pollution zéro. Après
l'inauguration qui se tient à Lahti (Finlande), capitale verte de l'Europe en 2021, elle permettra aux
citoyens de toute l'UE de discuter de la pollution zéro sous tous ses angles lors de la conférence
virtuelle et d'organiser plus de 600 événements partenaires dans toute l'Europe. Le commissaire
européen à l'environnement, aux océans et à la pêche, Virginijus Sinkevičius, qui inaugurera
l'événement, a déclaré : « La pollution environnementale a des répercussions négatives sur notre
santé, notamment sur celle des groupes les plus vulnérables et socialement défavorisés, et constitue
également l'un des principaux moteurs de la perte de biodiversité. Nous constatons que la pollution
est un sujet auquel les Européens sont profondément attachés, comme le démontre un nombre sans
précédent d'événements partenaires qui se déroulent cette année dans toute l'Europe. Je suis
convaincu que la Semaine verte de cette année sera une source d'inspiration et un succès
galvanisant et qu'elle affichera l'ambition de l'UE de mener l'action mondiale contre la pollution. » La
Semaine verte de l'UE intervient juste après que la Commission a adopté, il y a deux semaines, le
plan d'action de l'UE : « Vers une pollution zéro pour l'air, l'eau et le sol », une réalisation
déterminante du Pacte vert européen. Ce plan d'action présente une vision intégrée pour 2050 : un
monde où la pollution est réduite à des niveaux qui ne sont plus nocifs pour la santé humaine et les
écosystèmes naturels, ainsi que les étapes pour y parvenir. Le plan fédère toutes les politiques
européennes pertinentes pour lutter contre la pollution et la prévenir, en mettant particulièrement
l'accent sur l'utilisation de solutions numériques pour résoudre le problème. La Semaine verte peut
être suivie gratuitement. Vous trouverez de plus amples informations dans notre communication.
(Pour plus d'informations: Vivian Loonela – Tél.: +32 229 66712; Daniela Stoycheva – Tél.: +32 229
53664)

CALENDAR – Commissioner's weekly activities

Eurostat press releases
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