A high-level European Union delegation will be in New York for the 74^th United Nations General Assembly next week. The EU representatives will host and participate in a large number of events and meetings with world leaders. The EU continues to be a leader in global cooperation: joining forces with partners in support of multilateralism to uphold and promote international law and human rights, to support peace and democracy, to promote sustainable development and to stand side-by-side with people in need all over the world.

First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini will kick-off the week on Sunday, 22 September, with a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres, further strengthening the strategic EU-UN partnership.

On Monday, First Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will join the President of the European Council Donald Tusk at the UN Climate Action Summit following up on the EU’s commitments made under the Paris Agreement to cut emissions by at least 40% by 2030 and on the EU’s progress in developing a climate neutrality strategy. The Commission adopted a Communication last week detailing the EU’s contribution to the Summit.

On Tuesday, First Vice-President Timmermans together with Commissioner Neven Mimica will represent the EU at the first UN Summit on the Sustainable Development Goals since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in 2015 to call for more ambitious and accelerated action to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

On Tuesday, First Vice-President Timmermans and High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini will join the President of the European Council Tusk for the opening of the General Debate of the 74^th UN General Assembly.

EU Flagship events during the week

The EU will host or co-host a number of flagship events in the margins of the General Assembly:

• Commissioner Arias Cañete will host the High Ambition Coalition Ministerial meeting on 22 September.
• On Monday, 23 September, High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini together with UNICEF will launch the global campaign for the 30^th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child called #TheRealChallenge. In the afternoon, Commissioner Stylianides will co-host together with Belgium and UNICEF the event “Stop the war on children”.
• Between 22 and 24 September, Commissioner Karmenu Vella will represent the European Commission at the World Economic Forum’s Champions for Nature meeting, as well as other high-level events, showing the EU’s commitments to work on nature-based solutions to climate change, actions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and address the link between oceans and climate change.
• On Tuesday, 24 September, the EU will host the sixth high-level event on the Syria crisis, chaired by High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini and Commissioner Christos Stylianides, reaffirming EU and international support to a political solution to the Syria conflict and address the humanitarian and resilience needs of those affected by the crisis inside Syria and across the region.
• Commissioner Stylianides will co-host an event on safeguarding the humanitarian space in the context of counterterrorism and sanctions regimes on Wednesday, 25 September, together with the Belgian Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders. On the same day, Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos will speak at the tenth Global Counter-Terrorism Forum Ministerial Plenary Meeting. The meeting will be an opportunity to take stock of the Forum’s efforts and achievements at international, national and regional level to prevent, combat and prosecute terrorist acts.
• On Thursday, 26 September, High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini will host, together with the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and the EU Special Representative for Human Rights Eamon Gilmore, a new edition of the Good Human Rights Stories initiative. This year the focus will be on building quality lives through economic, social and cultural rights in the world. High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini and Commissioner Neven Mimica will host an event on the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative, aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

Other high-level events of the week

EU representatives will have a full agenda of high-level debates and side events, as well as numerous bilateral meetings:

• On 22 September, the eve of the UN’s General Assembly week, Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis will join leaders at the Walk the Talk: The Health for All event organised by the World Health Organisation in Central Park. High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini will meet leaders from the Western Balkans over a working dinner.
• On 23 September, Commissioner Andriukaitis will represent the EU at the high-level meeting on Universal Health Coverage. The same day, the International Contact Group on Venezuela will convene to assess the latest developments and the situation in the country. Following this meeting, High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini will chair the traditional informal meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers.
• Commissioner Andriukaitis will participate at a breakfast meeting on the 2019 Champions Strategy on Food waste on 24 September. In the evening, First Vice-President Timmermans, along with High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini, will open the annual EU reception.
• High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini, Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and Commissioner Pierre Moscovici will attend the Bloomberg Global Business Forum on 25 September.
• On 26 September, Commissioner Mimica will represent the EU at the High-Level Dialogue on Financing for Development, including a ministerial round-table discussion with the UN and pioneer countries on Integrated National Financing Frameworks to support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. On the same day, Commissioner Avramopoulos will participate in a Ministerial side event focussing on accountability for atrocity crimes committed by DAESH.*
• On 28 September, Commissioner Mimica will take part in the post-Cotonou chief negotiators’ meeting on a new partnership agreement with 79 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The future agreement will succeed the Cotonou Agreement.

The agenda of the individual EU representatives can be found on their websites.

For More Information

For the 74^th session of the UN General Assembly, the EU will focus on conflict prevention, peace and security; a common positive agenda with the promotion and protection of human rights at the heart of multilateralism; as well as an expanding global engagement on issues such as climate action, the environment, sustainable development goals, and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. For more details, check the EU’s priorities here.

Collectively, the EU and its Member States are the single largest financial contributor to the UN system.

Press and audio-visual material will be available on EEAS, Europa and Consilium.

Join the conversation online on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using #UNGA, #EU and follow @EUatUN and the Commissioner’s accounts for live updates throughout the week.

Factsheet: The EU at the United Nations

Factsheet: EU – UN: A partnership that delivers

Council Conclusion on EU priorities at the United Nations and the 74th United Nations General Assembly

Key documents on the Commission’s long-term vision “A Clean Planet for All”

Commission Communication on the 2019 Climate Action Summit hosted by the United Nations Secretary General

European Union presents its progress towards sustainable development

The EU and the Sustainable Development Goals

* Modified on September 2019, at 17:34 

EU@UNGA 74: Working towards a more peaceful, secure and prosperous world

A high-level European Union delegation will be in New York for the Ministerial week of the 74th United Nations General Assembly next week. The EU representatives will host and participate in a large number of events and meetings with world leaders. The EU continues to be a leader in global cooperation: joining forces with partners in support of multilateralism to uphold and promote international law and human rights, to support peace and democracy, to promote sustainable development and to stand side-by-side with people in need all over the world. On Sunday, 22 September, First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini will kick-off the week with a bilateral meeting with UN Secretary General António Guterres, further strengthening the strategic EU-UN partnership. On Monday, First Vice-President Timmermans will join the President of the European Council Donald Tusk at the opening of the UN Climate Action Summit. The Commission adopted a Communication last week detailing the EU’s contribution to the Summit. On Tuesday, First Vice-President Timmermans together with Commissioner Neven Mimica will represent the EU at the first UN summit on the Sustainable Development Goals to call for more ambitious and accelerated action to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. On Tuesday, First Vice-President Timmermans and High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini will join President of the European Council Tusk for the opening of the general debate of the 74th UN General Assembly. The EU will be hosting a number of flagship events in the margins of the General Assembly, and EU representatives will have a full agenda of high-level debates and side events, as well as numerous bilateral meetings. For more details on the agenda, see the full press release here. Press and audio-visual material will be available on EEAS, Europa and Consilium websites. For more information on EU – UN relations, see the factsheets here and here. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Xavier Cifre Quatresols – Tel.: +32 229 73582)

Alliance circulaire sur les matières plastiques: plus de cent signataires s’engagent à utiliser dix millions de tonnes de plastique recyclé d’ici à 2025

Une centaine de partenaires publics et privés représentant l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur des plastiques signeront aujourd’hui la déclaration de l’alliance circulaire sur les matières plastiques en faveur d’actions volontaires pour un marché performant des plastiques recyclés à l’échelle de l’Union. La déclaration décrit comment atteindre l’objectif d’utiliser chaque année dix millions de tonnes de plastique recyclé pour fabriquer de nouveaux produits en Europe d’ici à 2025. Cet objectif, fixé par la Commission européenne dans sa stratégie de 2018 sur les matières plastiques, s’inscrit dans ses efforts visant à développer le recyclage des plastiques en Europe. Le Premier vice-président Frans Timmermans, chargé du développement durable, a dit: « Je salue les engagements pris par l’industrie pour repenser la manière dont nous produisons et utilisons les plastiques. Grâce à un recyclage efficace des plastiques, nous rendrons notre planète plus propre et lutterons contre le changement climatique, en remplaçant les combustibles fossiles par des déchets plastiques dans le cycle de production. » Elżbieta Bieńkowska, commissaire pour le marché intérieur, l’industrie, l’entrepreneuriat et les PME, a ajouté: « Nous avons la possibilité de faire de notre industrie un leader mondial dans le domaine des plastiques recyclés. Il nous faut saisir pleinement cette opportunité pour protéger l’environnement, créer de nouveaux emplois dans ce secteur et rester compétitif. » La déclaration de l’Alliance restera ouverte à la signature sur le site de la Commission pour permettre à un plus grand nombre de signataires de s’y associer, en particulier les autorités publiques de toute l’Europe. Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (Pour plus d’informations: Lucía Caudet – Tél. +32 229 56182; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tél.: +32 229 56169)

Deux ans après son entrée en application, l’accord commercial entre l’UE et le Canada confirme ses bénéfices

Entré en vigueur provisoirement depuis deux ans aujourd’hui, l’Accord économique et commercial global (AECG) confirme son impact bénéfique concret pour l’Union européenne et le Canada. En 2018, les exportations de marchandises de l’Union européenne vers le Canada ont augmenté de 15% soit 5,3 milliards d’euros comparé à la moyenne des exportations sur les trois années précédentes. La commissaire européenne chargée du commerce, Cecilia Malmström, dans un discours prononcé lors du séminaire organisé aujourd’hui à Bruxelles par des organisations représentant des entreprises canadiennes et européennes pour marquer ce deuxième anniversaire, a dit : « Les premiers signes sont prometteurs. L’accord montre que l’UE et le Canada sont prêts à défendre un commerce mondial ouvert. Notre attention se porte maintenant sur la mise en œuvre. En pratique, cela signifie qu’il faut que nous nous assurions que ces nouvelles opportunités bénéficient au plus grand nombre, et que nos engagements communs par rapport à l’égalité des sexes, le climat et les droits des travailleurs soient respectés. » Parmi les principaux bénéficiaires de l’accord comptent : le secteur pharmaceutique avec une augmentation d’exportations de 29%, le secteur de machines et d’appareils mécaniques avec une augmentation de 16% et le secteur automobile avec une augmentation de 11%. En ce qui concerne les produits agro-alimentaires, les exportations de l’UE vers le Canada ont augmenté de 7% en 2018, soit 231 millions d’euros, plaçant le Canada en 8ème position des destinataires d’exportations agricoles en provenance de l’Union européenne. Les exportations de fromage ont augmenté de 33%, les pâtes et pâtisseries de 16% et le vin de 10%. Le discours est disponible en ligne. Plus d’informations sont disponibles sur le site web de l’AECG. (Pour plus d’informations : Daniel Rosario – Tél.: +32 229 56185; Kinga Malinowska – Tél: +32 229 51383)

Employment and social developments in Europe: labour market outlook remains broadly positive

The autumn edition of the Commission’s Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) Quarterly Review published today confirms that the EU labour market continues to break records, with 241.4 million people in employment in the EU (160 million in the euro area) during the second quarter of 2019. EU employment has been growing for 25 consecutive quarters, and since the start of the Juncker Commission 14.1 million jobs have been created. Total hours worked have now slightly exceeded the peak of 2008. Marianne Thyssen, Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility, said: “It is an important message that the European labour market is going strong. Never before have there been so many people in employment in the EU. Let’s keep our focus on delivering the European Pillar of Social Rights to ensure that this positive development continues to reach all citizens across Europe.” Most of the new jobs created in the beginning of 2019 are quality jobs: In the first quarter of 2019, permanent jobs increased by 2.5 million compared with the same quarter of the previous year. Over the same period, also self-employment was on the rise (+350,000 people), while the number of temporary employees went down (-600,000 people). The report further confirms that unemployment in the EU has receded by 11 million people since its peak observed in April 2013 and now stands at its lowest level ever recorded. Youth and long-term unemployment continued their decline, too. More information on the review is available here. (For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32 229 67094)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Telford Homes by CBRE

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Telford Homes PLC of the UK by the CBRE Group, Inc. (“CBRE”) of the U.S. Telford Homes develops residential-led, mixed-use sites in the UK. CBRE provides commercial real estate services on a worldwide basis. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given that the overlaps between the activities of the companies are very limited and a number of strong players would remain in the market after the merger. 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.9458. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Avramopoulos in Malta to discuss migration and asylum

On Sunday, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos will travel to Malta where he will meet with President George Vella. On Monday, the Commissioner will visit the European Asylum Support Office and participate in a meeting with Interior Ministers organised by the Maltese authorities to discuss temporary arrangements following disembarkation for persons rescued at sea. (For more information: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456; Tove Ernst – Tel.: +32 229 86764; Ciara Bottomley – Tel.: +32 229 69971)

Commissioners’ weekly activities

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)

We have just concluded the third round of trilateral talks at political level on the long-term transit of Russian gas via Ukraine to Europe as of next year.

Given the date, there is a sense of urgency. Therefore, I appealed to everyone around the table to be constructive.

One by one, we addressed all key areas in the trilateral meetings, namely:

How EU energy rules should be reflected in the legal framework of a future contract;

• the appropriate duration of such contract;
• necessary volumes and their flexibility;
• the tariff setting;
• and the Stockholm arbitration.

So where we stand after today.

I appreciate a constructive approach of both Ministers Orzhel and Novak as well as of CEOs of Naftogaz and Gazprom, Mr Kobolev and Mr Miller. There was positive atmosphere in the room.

We have taken steps in the right direction today. In other words, there has seen convergence of positions on some of the issues.

Firstly and importantly, both sides have agreed in principle that a future contract will be based on the EU law. We have clearly described to the Russian side that Ukraine is gradually implementing EU energy rules and a future contract must respect them.

At the same time, Gazprom is well acquainted with EU rules in its commercial relations with European gas companies. This would therefore be a well-known territory.

The Russian side has asked for assurances regarding the transposition of EU legislation into the Ukrainian law – that it is indeed the case. We will accelerate the work of EU Energy Community so that transposition is on time and correct.

In this context, the good news is thatwe have clear progress on unbundling of Naftogaz. The Ukrainian Government had made it its priority and I congratulated the Minister on the adoption an action plan / roadmap yesterday that paves way for a fully unbundled independent transmission system operator to be established – and certified according to the EU law – by the end of this year. I appreciated that the CEO of a company being formed was also present here today.

Concerning the duration of a future contract, volumes and the tariffs setting, we have had convergence of minds.

We need an agreement on all three elements, as they are interlinked. The volumes are key for the tariffs setting. The duration of a future contract is important for investment into the Ukrainian transit system. For Ukraine, well-functioning transit with volumes for EU consumers is the most important issue. Russia puts emphasis on direct sales to Ukrainian consumers. These issues are to be discussed.    

I appreciate presence of the Ukrainian independent energy regulator here today. It was useful to hear a clear explanation how EU legislation would be transposed, what it would mean for the tariff setting according to EU methodology under a future contract.

A few words on preparations ahead of this winter. I am glad to say that EU underground storage filling levels are very good – currently standing at 96 percent of full capacity. Ukraine’s underground storage filling levels are also good – currently at around 19.6 bcm, almost 4 bcm above levels in September last year.

Now the next steps: I am glad we have established positive, constructive working atmosphere between the two Ministers. We have agreed that there will be an inter-ministerial consultation with the two companies participating to hammer out the remaining interlinked issues.

We would resume at political level by the end of October when, I hope, we will have more progress on the remaining issues. We will remain in contact in the meantime. With Ukraine, we will work closely on the unbundling and certification process as well as on the transposition of EU legislation into the Ukrainian law.

To conclude, there was good atmosphere and constructive spirit today that, I believe, creates a necessary precondition for the next round of trilateral gas talks and for having everything settled before the end of this year.

Video statement available here.

ESMA considers that the revised CNMV’s AMP is compatible with Article 13(2) of the Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and with the CDR 2016/908 and contains various mechanisms to limit the threat to market confidence with respect to liquidity contracts and therefore maintains its previous positive opinion.

Background

MAR’s purpose is to guarantee the integrity of European financial markets and increase investor confidence. The concept of market abuse typically consists of insider dealing, unlawful disclosure of inside information, and market manipulation.

However, some exceptions apply. The prohibition of insider dealing and market manipulation does not apply to trading in own shares in buy-back programs or trading in securities for the stabilisation of securities when some conditions laid down in MAR are met. Moreover, MAR does not apply to public authorities in pursuit of monetary, exchange rate or public debt management policy. Other specific exceptions apply in the framework of the EU’s climate policy or the EU’s Agricultural Policy for instance. MAR also provides a defence against market manipulation if the transaction was legitimate and carried out in accordance with an AMP and MAR describes the non-exhaustive factors that a competent authority should take into account before deciding whether or not to accept a market practice.

In April ESMA published an opinion on the points for convergence in relation to AMP under MAR on liquidity contracts. These agreed points are expected to be used as a reference in the assessment of the MAR AMPs on liquidity contracts that national competent authorities (NCAs) may submit to ESMA after a domestic consultation and on which ESMA will have to issue an opinion.

Customs Union: Fake and potentially dangerous goods worth nearly €740 million stopped at EU customs in 2018

New figures released by the European Commission today show that the number of interceptions of fake goods being imported into the EU increased in 2018 due to a large amount of small parcels in express and postal traffic. Detention figures for seized consignments jumped from 57,433 in 2017 to 69,354 in 2018, though the total amount of articles detained decreased compared to previous years. Almost 27 million articles that infringed on intellectual property rights (IPR) were detained in 2018 with a street value of nearly €740 million. Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs said: “Customs officers across the EU have seen success in tracking down and seizing counterfeit goods that are often dangerous for consumers. Their job is made even more difficult by the rise in small packages entering the EU through online sales. Protecting the integrity of our Single Market and Customs Union, and effective enforcement of intellectual property rights in the international supply chain are also priorities. We need to continue stepping up the efforts against counterfeiting and piracy.” The top categories of detained articles were cigarettes, which accounted for 15% of the overall amount of detained articles. This was followed by toys (14%), packaging material (9%), labels, tags and stickers (9%) and clothing (8%). Products for daily personal use in the home such as body care articles, medicines, toys and electrical household goods accounted for nearly 37% of the total number of detained articles. A press release and a factsheet are available online. (For more information: Vanessa Mock – Tel.: +32 229 56194; Patrick McCullough – Tel.: +32 229 87183)

#EUBeachCleanUp: l’UE organise un nombre record d’actions de nettoyage à l’échelle mondiale

Sur les plages d’Europe et du reste du monde, le personnel de l’UE s’associe aux communautés locales pour éliminer les déchets marins dans le cadre de la campagne #EUBeachCleanUp. Lancée le 19 août, la campagne de cette année, qui se déroulera jusqu’à la fin du mois d’octobre, aura comme point culminant la journée internationale de nettoyage du littoral, organisée le samedi 21 septembre, lors de laquelle des actions seront menées dans plus de 80 pays, sur tous les continents habités. Cette année, grâce à des partenariats innovants avec les Nations unies et les Schtroumpfs, la campagne atteindra des milliers de citoyens de tous âges. Le succès de l’initiative #EUBeachCleanUp repose sur des actions de sensibilisation (avec une forte présence sur les médias sociaux) associées à un appel à l’action très concret: rejoignez-nous sur vos plages! Le commissaire chargé de l’environnement, des affaires maritimes et de la pêche, M. Karmenu Vella, se félicite de cette campagne et invite chacun d’entre nous à y participer: « L’Union européenne mène certaines des politiques les plus ambitieuses pour lutter contre la pollution marine dans le monde. En collaboration avec les Nations unies, nous voulons nettoyer et assainir nos océans, conformément à l’objectif de développement durable 14 des Nations unies. Cette année, nous avons de nouveaux acteurs à nos côtés: les Schtroumpfs. Bleus, courageux et adorés des plus jeunes comme des plus âgés, ce sont les partenaires idéaux de notre campagne. Participez à nos actions et aidez-nous à créer, à l’échelle mondiale, une vague de mobilisation en faveur des océans! » L’UE a adopté une stratégie européenne sur les matières plastiques dans une économie circulaire, parallèlement à des mesures législatives visant à réduire la production et la consommation des 10 articles en plastique à usage unique que l’on retrouve le plus souvent parmi les déchets marins. Un communiqué de presse est à votre disposition en ligne. (Pour plus d’informations: Enrico Brivio – Tél.: +32 229 56172, Ana Parrondo Crespo – Tél.: +32 229 81325)

Juncker Plan in Italy: European Investment Bank lends €250 million to Italian agency for research into clean fusion energy

The European Investment Bank is providing €250 million of financing under the Juncker Plan’s European Fund for Strategic Investments towards the new scientific and technological hub of ENEA, Italy’s National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development. This forms part of a total investment of €500 million for the facility which will be hosted in Frascati near Rome. The project will also receive funding from EUROfusion, the EU’s programme to produce safe, clean nuclear energy. ENEA has created the facility to respond to some of the key scientific and technological issues surrounding nuclear fusion, in particular the question of how to control the large amount of heat generated. Some 1,500 scientists and technicians will be involved in the project. Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete, responsible for Climate Action and Energy, said: “To achieve a climate neutral Europe by 2050, we need to keep investing in new technological solutions. Fusion is a potential source of safe, non-carbon emitting and virtually limitless energy. If we succeed in making a breakthrough in this technology it could significantly contribute to our efforts to make Europe the first climate neutral major economy. Today’s investment decision is one step towards this objective.” A press release is available here. As of September 2019, the Juncker Plan has mobilised €433.2 billion of additional investment, including €67.4 billion in Italy. The Plan is currently supporting 972,000 small and medium-sized businesses across Europe. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Siobhan Millbright – Tel.: +32 229 57361) 

State aid: Commission approves Greek Primary Residence Protection Scheme to support households at risk of losing their home due to difficulties in mortgage repayments

The European Commission has approved under EU State aid rules the Greek Primary Residence Protection Scheme to support households that have encountered difficulties in repaying mortgage loans and risk losing their primary residence. The scheme, which has an annual budget of around € 132 million, sets strict eligibility criteria in terms of the value of the primary residence and income of the borrower to ensure it is targeted at those in need. Eligible borrowers will receive a grant corresponding to 20% to 50% of their monthly loan payment depending on their income, provided that: (i) their loans are secured against their primary residence; and (ii) they resume paying the residual part of their monthly payment. If the borrower stops servicing its loan, it is foreseen that the bank can initiate the foreclosure of the property. All banks will have to restructure the loans of eligible borrowers along the same requirements defined by the State. The Commission concluded that, with respect to individuals, including those performing an economic activity, the measure does not involve any State aid. With respect to the banks that issued the loans, the Commission found that the scheme will provide an indirect advantage because it increases the amount of repayment the banks are likely to receive from the non-performing loans. At the same time, the Commission’s assessment showed that this indirect aid would not create undue distortions of competition because the aid is limited to what is necessary to achieve its objective of ensuring that borrowers do not lose the house in which they live. Moreover, since all banks established in Greece will participate in the scheme, it is non-discriminatory among them. The Commission has therefore concluded that the scheme is well-targeted and limited in time and scope as required by EU rules. Finally, the scheme is expected to contribute to reduce the high burden of non-performing loans in the Greek banking sector. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.53520.

State aid: Commission approves support scheme for energy-intensive companies in Slovakia

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Slovak plans to partially compensate energy-intensive companies for the national levy to support renewable energy production. Slovak support for renewable energy is at present financed through contributions based on electricity consumption. The scheme, which will apply until 31 December 2029 and will have a provisional budget of €120 million for the years 2019 to 2021, will benefit companies active in Slovakia in sectors that are particularly energy-intensive (hence with higher electricity consumption) and more exposed to international trade. The beneficiaries will obtain compensation for up to a maximum of 85% of their contribution to the financing of support to renewable energy. The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular, the Guidelines on State Aid for environmental protection and energy 2014-2020. The Guidelines authorise reductions – up to a certain level – in contributions levied on energy-intensive companies active in certain sectors and exposed to international trade, in order to ensure their global competitiveness. The Commission found that the compensation will only be granted to energy intensive companies exposed to international trade, in line with the requirements of the Guidelines. Furthermore, the measure will promote the EU energy and climate goals and ensure the global competitiveness of energy-intensive users and industries, without unduly distorting competition. On this basis, the Commission concluded that the measure is in line with EU State aid rules. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the State Aid Register under the case number SA. 53564. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

State aid: Commission approves modification of financing mechanism for Klaipėda LNG terminal in Lithuania

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Lithuanian plans to modify the financing mechanism to cover the leasing costs of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Klaipėda, Lithuania. In November 2013, the Commission approved aid to support the construction and operation of the LNG terminal under EU State aid rules. In particular, the Commission found that the measure was necessary to ensure security of gas supply in Lithuania. Under the 2013 decision, the leasing costs of the LNG terminal were exclusively financed through a fee levied on Lithuanian gas consumers, the so-called “LNG Supplement”. In order to reduce the financial burden on consumers, Lithuania now intends to replace part of the LNG Supplement with a loan guaranteed by the Lithuanian State. The State guarantee is necessary to obtain a loan of €135.5 million from a private financial institution. The loan will cover part of the leasing costs of the terminal for the period 2019-2024. The LNG Supplement will be reduced of a correspondent amount. The Commission found that the measure, as amended, remains compatible with the Internal Market and, therefore, approved the modification of the financing mechanism, under EU State aid rules. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the State Aid Register under the case number SA.53074. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Competition: EU and Japan reinforce cooperation on competition policy at first EU-Japan Competition Week in Tokyo

Officials and experts from the EU and Japan will meet in Tokyo on 19 and 20 September to discuss and exchange good practices in competition policy and enforcement during the first EU-Japan Competition Week. The Competition Week will open on 19 September with a conference on competition law enforcement in the digital economy. Representatives from academia, the business sector, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC) and the European Commission will gather to discuss the challenges of digitalisation and how to ensure the digital economy benefits consumers and the broader economy. During a session on 20 September, officials from the European Commission, the Austrian Federal Competition Authority and the JFTC will discuss mergers in innovation markets, investigative procedures and engagement with parties during antitrust proceedings. The annual EU-Japan Competition Week is part of the Competition Cooperation project, a 5-year EU-funded programme offering technical cooperation to competition authorities in Asia. The objective is to exchange experiences and strengthen convergence in competition policy, to the benefit of citizens and businesses in both the EU and Asia. More information about the European Commission’s bilateral dialogue with Japan in the field of competition policy is available on the Commission’s website. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Maria Tsoni – Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Le deuxième Sommet européen de l’éducation se tiendra à Bruxelles la semaine prochaine

Le jeudi 26 septembre, Tibor Navracsics, le commissaire chargé de l’éducation, de la culture, de la jeunesse et des sports, accueillera le deuxième Sommet européen de l’éducation à Bruxelles. Celui-ci réunira 19 ministres de l’éducation de l’UE ainsi que plus de 750 professionnels de l’éducation et des représentants de toute l’Europe, dont 150 enseignants. Sous le thème « Les enseignants d’abord : excellence et prestige pour l’Espace européen de l’éducation », les discussions porteront sur les défis auxquels les enseignants sont confrontés, liés à des facteurs tels que le prestige et la reconnaissance professionnels, la formation, l’autonomie et les ressources dont ils disposent. Les sessions exploreront des solutions à des problèmes spécifiques tels que l’utilisation des nouvelles technologies en classe, l’enseignement dans les zones rurales et la promotion de valeurs communes en matière d’éducation. Les discussions au sommet contribueront à faire avancer les travaux de la Commission sur un Espace européen de l’éducation. Pendant le sommet, le commissaire Navracsics présentera également le Moniteur de l’éducation et de la formation de 2019, publication annuelle phare de la Commission sur l’éducation et la formation, qui se concentrera cette année sur la profession d’enseignant. Le sommet sera diffusé en ligne et le matériel vidéo sera disponible sur EbS dans l’après-midi. (Pour plus d’informations: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tél.: +32 229 67083; Joseph Waldstein – Tél.: +32 229 56184)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)