European Commission - Daily News

European Commission - Daily News

Daily News 03 / 05 / 2022
Brussels, 3 May 2022
REUNION DU COLLÈGE: Union européenne de la santé - un espace européen des données de
santé pour les patients et pour la science
La Commission européenne lance aujourd'hui l'espace européen des données de santé (EHDS), une
pierre angulaire dans la construction d'une union européenne de la santé forte. L'EHDS permettra à
l'Union de métamorphoser la manière dont les soins de santé sont dispensés aux citoyens de toute
l'Europe. Il donnera aux citoyens le pouvoir de contrôler et d'utiliser leurs données de santé, tant
dans leur pays d'origine que dans d'autres États membres. Le vice-président de la Commission
européenne, M. Margaritis Schinas, a déclaré à ce propos: « Je suis fier d'annoncer le premier
espace de données européen commun dans un domaine spécifique. L'espace européen des données
de santé constituera un "nouveau départ" pour la politique de santé numérique de l'Union, en faisant
en sorte que les données de santé travaillent pour les citoyens et pour la science. Nous posons
aujourd'hui les bases d'un accès sûr et fiable aux données de santé, dans le plein respect des valeurs
fondamentales de l'UE. » Stella Kyriakides, commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité alimentaire, a
poursuivi en ces termes: « C'est un autre pilier de l'union européenne de la santé que nous mettons
en place aujourd'hui. Notre vision devient réalité. L'espace européen des données de santé change
fondamentalement la donne pour ce qui est de la transformation numérique des soins de santé dans
l'UE. Il place les citoyens au centre, en leur donnant le pouvoir de contrôler pleinement leurs données
afin de bénéficier de meilleurs soins de santé dans l'ensemble de l'Union. Ces données, auxquelles il
sera possible d'accéder dans le cadre de solides garanties en matière de sécurité et de respect de la
vie privée, constitueront également une mine d'or pour les scientifiques, les chercheurs, les
innovateurs et les décideurs travaillant sur le prochain traitement vital. L'Union fait un pas en avant
historique vers la numérisation des soins de santé en son sein. » Un communiqué de presse, des
questions et réponses et une fiche d'information sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations:
Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tél.: +32 229 84680; Darragh Cassidy – Tél.: +32 229 83978)

Agriculture: Strong increase in EU agri-food trade reported in beginning of 2022
The latest EU agri-food trade figures published today show that the total value of EU agri-food trade
reached a value of €28.3 billion in January 2022, a 25% increase compared to the same period last
year. Exports reached €15.8 billion, while imports were valued at €12.5 billion, representing
increases of 16% and 38% respectively. January saw a continuation of the trend of lower exports and
higher imports of agri-food products, which began in autumn 2021. The largest increases in exports
were seen to the United Kingdom and the United States, who along with China, account for 40% of
all EU agri-food exports. The main sources of agri-food imports in January 2022 were the United
States and Brazil, followed by the UK and Ukraine. These four countries account for 35% of all agri-
food imports to the EU. The largest increase was seen in imports from the UK, which grew by 137%
to reach a value of over €1 billion, with particularly strong growth in imports of wine and wine-based
products, as well as poultry and eggs. This significant increase is explained by the fact that trade
flows in January 2021 were very low following the borders controls that were put in place in the
context of the UK's exit from the EU and its single market. However trade with the UK has not
recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Prior to the Russian invasion, imports from Ukraine had grown by
88% year on year in January 2022 to reach a value of €1 billion. This was mainly driven by imports
of cereals, which grew by €258 million (136%). Elsewhere, imports from the United States grew by
16%, while imports from China increased by 67%. Looking at specific products, the EU's top three
export categories were cereal preparations and milling products, dairy products and wine and wine-
based products. These represented one quarter of all agri-food exports. In January 2022, these
sectors increased their export values by €203 million, €219 million and €227 million respectively.
Exports of cereals also grew strongly, by €210 million or 24%. While pigmeat remains the fourth
strongest export sector, the value of pigmeat exports decreased by €233 million (-16%) compared to
January of last year. Regarding imports, the value of oilseed and protein crop imports stood at over
€1.7 billion in January 2022. These products accounted for 14% of all agri-food imports in 2021.

More information on the latest EU agri-food trade figures is available here and on EU agri-food trade
in general here. (For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer - Tel.: +32 229 99075; Thérèse
Lerebours - Tel.: +32 229 63303)

Antitrust: Commission sends Statement of Objections to Apple over practices regarding
Apple Pay
The European Commission has informed Apple of its preliminary view that it abused its dominant
position in markets for mobile wallets on iOS devices. The Commission takes issue with the decision
by Apple to prevent mobile wallets app developers, from accessing the necessary hardware and
software (‘NFC input') on its devices, to the benefit of its own solution, Apple Pay. The Commission's
preliminary view is that Apple's dominant position in the market for mobile wallets on its operating
system iOS, restricts competition, by reserving access to NFC technology to Apple Pay. This has an
exclusionary effect on competitors and leads to less innovation and less choice for consumers for
mobile wallets on iPhones. If confirmed, this conduct would infringe Article 102 of the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union ('TFEU') that prohibits the abuse of a dominant market position.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Mobile
payments play a rapidly growing role in our digital economy. It is important for the integration of
European Payments markets that consumers benefit from a competitive and innovative payments
landscape. We have indications that Apple restricted third-party access to key technology necessary
to develop rival mobile wallet solutions on Apple's devices. In our Statement of Objections, we
preliminarily found that Apple may have restricted competition, to the benefit of its own solution
Apple Pay. If confirmed, such a conduct would be illegal under our competition rules.” A press
release is available online. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria
Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €18 million Spanish scheme to support the fishing vessels
companies in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine
The European Commission has approved a €18 million Spanish scheme to support the fishing vessels
companies in the context of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The scheme was approved under the State
Aid Temporary Crisis Framework, adopted by the Commission on 23 March 2022. Under the scheme,
the aid will take the form of direct grants. The purpose of the scheme is to provide liquidity support
to fishing vessels companies affected by the current crisis. The Commission found that the Spanish
scheme is in line with the conditions set out in the Temporary Crisis Framework. In particular, the
aid (i) will not exceed €35,000 per beneficiary; and (ii) will be granted no later than 31 December
2022. The Commission concluded that the scheme 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 Crisis Framework. On this basis, the Commission
approved the scheme under EU State aid rules. More information on the Temporary Crisis Framework
and other actions taken by the Commission to address the economic impact of Russia's invasion of
Ukraine can be found here. The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under
the number SA.102645 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

State aid: Commission approves €6.8 million Greek aid measure to compensate Ellinair for
the damage suffered due to the coronavirus pandemic
The European Commission has found a €6.8 million Greek aid measure to support Ellinair to be in
line with EU state aid rules. This measure aims at compensating the airline for the damage suffered
during the period between 18 March and 30 June 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic and the
travel restrictions imposed by Greece and other countries to limit the spread of the virus. As a result,
the airline experienced a steep decline in traffic and profitability over this period. The aid will take
the form of a direct grant. 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 the
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 Greek measure will compensate
damage that is directly linked to the coronavirus pandemic. It also found that the measure is
proportionate, as the compensation does not exceed what is necessary to make good the damage.
The Commission therefore concluded that the damage compensation measure is in line with EU State

aid rules. More information on the 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 cases number SA.62588 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; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 229 98163; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears creation of joint venture by CDP VC, MIMETE and PUNCH
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint
venture by CDP Venture Capital SGR S.p.A. (‘CDP VC'), MIMETE S.r.l. and PUNCH Torino S.p.A
(‘PUNCH'), all of Italy. The joint venture will be active in additive manufacturing, also known as 3D
printing. CDP VC promotes and manages investment funds in support of start-ups. MIMETE is a
supplier of metal powders for additive manufacturing. PUNCH provides engineering consulting
services for the development, manufacturing and integration of technologies, systems and processes
for the realization of turnkey solutions for businesses. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the joint venture's limited market presence.
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.10691. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.: +32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.:
+32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears creation of a joint venture by HOYA and BOE Vision
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the creation of a joint
venture by HOYA Corporation (‘HOYA') of Japan and Beijing BOE Vision Electronic Technology Co.,
Ltd. (‘BOE Vision') of the People's Republic of China. The joint venture will be active in the
production and sale of photomasks for use in the production of flat panel displays. HOYA is active in
the research, development, manufacturing and sale of electronic products, including photomask
blanks, photomasks and glass substrates for hard drive disks. BOE Vision is active in liquid crystal
display manufacturing and technology development. The Commission concluded that the proposed
acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because the joint venture has no actual or foreseen
activities 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.10647. (For more information: Arianna Podesta – Tel.:
+32 229 87024; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

STATEMENTS

World Press Freedom Day: Commission stands up for media freedom and pluralism
Today, on World Press Freedom Day, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to defending media
freedom and pluralism in the EU and beyond. On this day, Vice-President for Values and
Transparency, Věra Jourová, addressed the European Parliament and said: “This year I would like to
pay tribute in particular to journalists who are in the frontline in Ukraine. They inform us at the risk
of their lives. They show us what Russia does not want us to see. Our first priority is their safety. At
the same time, we are strengthening our action in the EU, with new legislation against abusive
litigation against journalists presented last week, and the Media Freedom Act in the making.” (see
also her video-message). Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, added: “Russia's
military aggression against Ukraine reminded us that media freedom and pluralism, which protect
our democracies, cannot be taken for granted. We will continue to support our media industry, to
protect our journalists under threat, and to fight relentlessly for our free and independent press. With
the upcoming Media Freedom Act, we will foster a resilient media market, which delivers diverse and
reliable information to citizens”. Yesterday, High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell issued
a declaration on behalf of the EU. In 2020, for the first time, the Commission presented a
comprehensive European approach for the media building on the European Democracy Action Plan
and the Media and Audiovisual Action Plan (MAAP), which aims to boost European media and help
maintain European cultural and technological autonomy in the Digital Decade. Last week, the

Commission adopted a package to tackle Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs),
providing journalists and human rights defenders with tools to fight back against abusive court
proceedings. This package complements the Commission's Recommendation on the safety of
journalists, laying down actions such as the creation of independent national support services,
including helplines, legal advice, psychological support and shelters and measure to ensure their
safety online. Later this year, the Commission will also adopt the European Media Freedom Act,
which will enshrine for the first time in EU law safeguards to protect media pluralism and the
editorial independence of the media. Media pluralism is one of the key elements of the annual Rule of
Law Report and, in this context, the Commission continues to monitor the situation in all EU Member
States. The Commission also continues to provide financial support to foster media freedom and
pluralism. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Christian Wigand - Tel.:
+32 229 62253 Charles Manoury – Tel.: +32 229 13391, Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.:+32 229 6 34 44)

APPOINTMENTS

COLLEGE MEETING: The European Commission appoints a Deputy Director-General for its
department for Communications Networks, Content and Technology
The European Commission has decided today to appoint Thomas Skordas as Deputy Director-General
in the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT).
This department develops and implements policies to make Europe fit for the digital age. The date of
effect of the appointment will be determined later. Thomas Skordas will build on his 33 years of
professional experience and expertise in the field of digital technologies and applications, including
27 years at the Commission. He is endowed with robust management and representation skills,
strategic planning and excellent knowledge of EU policies related to the policy areas covered by DG
CONNECT. Thomas Skordas, a Greek national, has been Acting Deputy Director-General at the same
Directorate-General since 2021. He was notably in charge of the overall strategic orientation and
management of the Directorates covering Artificial Intelligence and Digital Industry, Digital
Excellence & Science Infrastructure, Future Networks and Digital Society, Trust & Cybersecurity.
From 2017 until now, he has been Director for “Digital Excellence and Science Infrastructure”. In his
preceding function, he was Head of Unit in charge of managing Future and Emerging Technologies
"Flagships", in particular "GRAPHENE" and "The Human Brain Project” in the same Directorate-
General. In earlier stages of his career, he held a variety of positions with gradually increasing
responsibilities within DG CONNECT, and previously the Directorate-General for Information Society
and Media (DG INFSO). He joined the Commission in 1995 within the Directorate-General for
Research and Innovation (DG RTD) as Scientific Officer in the area of enterprise logistics, robotics
and production automation. Prior to that, he was working as Responsible for the Research &
Development activities in Computer Vision and Robotics in the private sector. He holds a PhD in
Computer Sciences Research from the Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble (INPG). (For more
information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

COLLEGE MEETING: The European Commission appoints a Controller of procedural
guarantees
The European Commission has decided today to appoint Julia Laffranque as Controller of procedural
guarantees for investigations conducted by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) for a non-
renewable mandate of five years. This decision takes effect immediately. The Controller of procedural
guarantees is a new function established by Article 9a of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 883/2013, as
amended by Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2223, for the purpose of protecting and complying with
procedural guarantees and fundamental rights throughout OLAF investigations. The Controller will
report on the exercise of their function on an annual basis to the European Parliament, the Council,
the Commission, the Supervisory Committee of OLAF and to OLAF itself. The Controller will handle
complaints against OLAF in complete independence, including from the Commission, OLAF and the
Supervisory Committee. Julia Laffranque, an Estonian national, has worked for 20 years in legal or
judicial practice, thus possessing a thorough knowledge of EU law, in particular of EU administrative
law, fundamental rights and procedural guarantees. She has been a Judge of the Supreme Court of
Estonia since 2004, responsible for public and administrative law. In 2011, she was elected as a
Judge at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg for a period of 9 years. In 2021, she
became Director of Programmes in the Academy of European Law in Trier in Germany. She is also a

Professor of European Law in the University of Tartu since 2011. (For more information: Balazs Ujvari
- Tel.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

COLLEGE MEETING: The European Commission appoints a Head of the Regional Office in
Marseille
The European Commission has appointed today Pierre Loaëc as the new Head of the Commission's
Regional Representation in Marseille in France. He will take office on 1 June. Pierre Loaëc, a French
national, will draw on his 15 years of experience in European and international affairs, including his
established representation and communication skills as well as his deep knowledge of EU policies
notably in the field of energy, economy and finance. In the past 7 years, he has been working for the
Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER), following the energy policy of France, working on various
Green Deal legislative files and strategies, and most recently contributing to the REPowerEU Plan. In
his former function, he was Case Handler in the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP).
Before joining the European Commission in 2014, he was an Adviser in the Cabinet of the President
of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London. Pierre Loaëc graduated in
public affairs from Sciences Po and in management from the ESSEC Business School, in Paris. The
Commission maintains Representations in all capitals of EU Member States, and Regional Offices in
Barcelona, Bonn, Marseille, Milan, Munich and Wroclaw. The Representations are the Commission's
eyes, ears and voice on the ground in EU Member States. The press release is available online. (For
more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 229 54578; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 229 56859)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ukraine: Commissioner Johansson presents the plan against human trafficking to the EU
Solidarity Platform
Tomorrow Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, will attend the EU Solidarity Platform
established to support the implementation of the Temporary Protection Directive to share information
among Member States and EU agencies and to provide targeted support to welcome refugees fleeing
Russian invasion of Ukraine. On this occasion she will present a plan of action against trafficking in
human beings developed under the lead of the EU Anti-Trafficking Coordinator. The plan builds on
the EU Strategy on Combatting Trafficking in Human Beings and the measures already put in place
since the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine at European level, including by EU
agencies, as well as at national level. It aims to achieve five main objectives: strengthen awareness
raising on the risks of trafficking in human beings and setting up helplines; reinforce prevention
against trafficking in human beings; enhancing the law enforcement and judicial response to
trafficking in human beings; improving the early identification, support and protection of victims of
trafficking in human beings; and addressing the risks of trafficking in human beings in non-EU
countries, especially Ukraine and Moldova. (For more information: Anitta Hipper - Tel.: +32 229
85691; Ciara Bottomley - Tel.: +32 229 69971; Laura Bérard - Tel.: +32 229 55721)

Réunion de l'Eurogroupe et réunion informelle des ministres des affaires économiques et
financières, ce 3 mai
Le vice-président exécutif Dombrovskis et le commissaire Gentiloni représentent la Commission
lors de la réunion informelle des ministres de l'économie et des finances qui a commencé par
visioconférence aujourd'hui à 15h. La réunion se focalise sur les décisions d'exécution du Conseil
relatives à l'approbation des plans nationaux pour la reprise et la résilience pour la Bulgarie et la
Suède, sur la base des propositions de la Commission. Plus tard, le vice-président exécutif
Dombrovskis, le commissaire Gentiloni, et la commissaire McGuinness représenteront la
Commission européenne lors de la réunion de l'Eurogroupe par visioconférence qui suivra la réunion,
vers 16h. La réunion, en configuration ouverte, aura un seul point à l'ordre du jour: un projet de plan
de travail pour l'achèvement de l'union bancaire. À cette fin, le président de l'Eurogroupe présentera
sa proposition et les ministres débattront d'un plan de travail visant à achever l'union bancaire. Le
commissaire Gentiloni participera à la conférence de presse qui suivra les réunions. (Pour plus
d'informations: Veerle Nuyts - Tél.: + 32 229 96302; Daniel Ferrie – Tél.: +32 229 86500)

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

Upcoming events of the European Commission
Eurostat press releases
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