Statement by President Juncker following the passing away of Giovanni Buttarelli

I am deeply saddened by the news of Giovanni Buttarelli’s death.

With his brilliant legal mind, Mr Buttarelli dedicated his professional life to upholding the values on which the European Union was founded.

His life-long work, including his contribution to the development of the General Data Protection Regulation, has cemented Europe’s place in the world as a global leader on data protection. Most recently, as the European Data Protection Supervisor, his tireless efforts have helped ensure the protection of our citizens’ data in the Union.

My thoughts are with Mr Buttarelli’s family and friends during this difficult time.

Ebola: EU announces new funds to strengthen preparedness in Burundi

Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, who is also the EU’s Ebola Coordinator, said: ”To effectively fight the Ebola virus we do not only have to address the affected cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo but also increase our efforts to prevent the disease from spreading to neighbouring countries like Burundi. The European Union is therefore supporting ongoing Ebola preparedness measures in the country, including infection prevention and control. Everything possible must be done to avoid a further spread of the deadly virus.”

The new EU funding will be allocated through the World Health Organisation. It will strengthen the coordination, surveillance and response capacities to Ebola in high-risk districts in Burundi, close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This new funding complements the existing financial support to the ongoing EU efforts in Ebola surveillance and awareness-raising via NGOs and UN.

Background

Since 2018, the EU has provided €47 million to humanitarian partners in the Democratic Republic of Congo involved in the Ebola response in the affected areas as well as in high-risk areas. In parallel, the EU has also been supporting Ebola prevention and preparedness measures in the neighbouring countries most at risk – Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda and Burundi – with over €4 million in humanitarian aid to ensure rapid detection and treatment in case of spill-over.

Supporting Ebola preparedness in neighbouring countries is crucial in this region with the high mobility and considerable cross-border trade. Uganda has recently witnessed three cases of a family returning from an Ebola-affected area in the Democratic Republic of Congo. No Ebola cases have been detected in Burundi, but the threat has become increasingly real with two newly confirmed cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s province of South Kivu, which shares a border with Burundi.

For More Information

EU humanitarian support to Burundi

Press release – Additional €30 million to tackle Ebola in DRC

Press release – Ebola: EU releases additional €3.5 million to tackle epidemic

Daily News 21 / 08 / 2019

Ebola: EU announces new funds to strengthen preparedness in Burundi

The Ebola virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread in the east of the country with a high risk of a spill-over into the neighbouring countries. The European Union is stepping up its assistance to Burundi with €465,000 to further strengthen Ebola preparedness measures by authorities and aid organisations in the country. Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, who is also the EU’s Ebola Coordinator, said: ”To effectively fight the Ebola virus we do not only have to address the affected cases in the Democratic Republic of Congo but also increase our efforts to prevent the disease from spreading to neighbouring countries like Burundi. The European Union is therefore supporting ongoing Ebola preparedness measures in the country, including infection prevention and control. Everything possible must be done to avoid a further spread of the deadly virus.” The new EU funding will be allocated through the World Health Organisation and will strengthen the coordination, surveillance and response capacities to Ebola in high-risk districts in Burundi, close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This new funding complements the existing financial support to the ongoing EU efforts in Ebola surveillance and awareness-raising via NGOs and UN. A press release is available here. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Christina Wunder – Tel.: +32 229 92256)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Kathrein’s antenna and filter assets by Ericsson

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Kathrein’s antenna and filter assets (“Kathrein”) of Germany by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ) (“Ericsson”) of Sweden. Kathrein is a global provider of communication technologies solutions. Ericsson is a global provider of network equipment and software, as well as services for network and business operations. The Commission assessed possible conglomerate effects in relation to the bundling of passive antennas and filters sold by Kathrein and radio access network (“RAN”) equipment sold by Ericsson to mobile network operators. The Commission’s investigation found that the transaction raises no competition concerns because of Kathrein’s and Ericsson’s limited market positions and the existence of several credible competitors. The Commission also investigated the vertical relationship between the upstream market for the supply of antenna modules procured by RAN equipment suppliers, such as Ericsson, to be integrated into active antennas. The Commission concluded that the transaction did not raise competition concerns in this regard, in particular due to Kathrein’s limited activities in the upstream market for the supply of antenna modules and the existence of several alternative suppliers. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9332. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Hirose Plant by Denso Corporation

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of the Hirose Plant by Denso Corporation, both of Japan, by way of purchase of assets. The Hirose Plant produces semiconductors and electronic components for use in automobiles. It is currently owned by Toyota Motor Corporation, a Japanese automotive company, which uses the entire output of the plant for its own production. Denso is a manufacturer and supplier of advanced automotive parts and components for automobile manufacturers, non-automotive consumer products and industrial products. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the limited overlaps between the companies’ activities, the presence of other competitors in these markets and the lack of ability and incentive for the combined entity to shut competitors out of the market. The transaction was examined under the normal merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.9330. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

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

Declaration by the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the European Union, on the occasion of the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence based on Religion or Belief

On this first International Day commemorating the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief, we pay tribute to all those around the world who lost their lives and suffered attacks because of their religion or belief. Persecution as a response to religious belief or affiliation, or lack thereof, is a violation of international law and requires joint work to combat it.

There were many tragic extremist attacks during the last year. Believers from any faith, as well as non-believers in many parts of the world continue to suffer from violence and persecution. They face incitement to hatred and violence and hate crimes by state or non-state actors or both.

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion are enshrined in Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental rights of the European Union and protecting this right is a duty for the EU and its Member States. EU legislation obliges Member States to penalise the intentional public incitement to violence or hatred directed against a group of persons or a member of such a group defined by reference to, among others, religion or belief.

The EU has always been at the frontline in promoting and protecting freedom of religion or belief. The guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief approved in 2013, reaffirm that state institutions have a duty to guarantee freedom of religion or belief, and to protect individuals from violence based on the actual or assumed religion or belief of the targeted persons, or based on the religious or convictional tenets of the perpetrators. Violence perpetrated under the pretext of a religious prescription or practice, such as violence against women and girls including “honour” killings, female genital mutilation, child early and forced marriages as well as violence perpetrated against persons based on their sexual orientation or gender identity is also unacceptable.

Majorities in one country are minorities elsewhere. Marginalisation and scapegoating of persons belonging to religious minorities can be an early warning sign of more severe persecution, as well as a wider crackdown on the whole society. Preventive measures are needed to combat religious hatred, incitement and violence related to religious persecution. The EU has and will continue to increase its support for such measures promoting freedom of religion or belief.

Perpetrators need to be held accountable, violence prevented and victims rehabilitated. Tangible progress can be made through multilateralism and collective action. This is why the EU leads a Resolution on freedom of religion or belief at the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly every year. If a society allows for the persecution of one minority, it lays the ground for persecution of any community. An attack on one minority is an attack on all of us. This is why we keep committed to acting all together.

ECB European Cultural Days 2019: Celebrating 20 years of the euro

PRESS RELEASE

21 August 2019

Europa Open Air concert draws over 20,000 music lovers every year
Alte Oper to start new season with young musicians from Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester
Charity concert in support of “Basketball macht Schule” youth initiative
ECB to open doors to chamber music

Since its launch in 2003 the European Cultural Days of the ECB has featured artists from 15 EU countries. This year’s events mark the euro’s 20th anniversary and will be dedicated to Europe. Four concerts, including an open air riverside concert and a chamber music evening at the ECB, will bring a wide variety of music – ranging from Beethoven to jazz – to Frankfurt.

“Twenty years ago we introduced the euro, the most tangible symbol of Europe and its values. The European Cultural Days 2019 will celebrate this with a programme showcasing music from all around Europe. Music and arts are a language everyone understands. I cannot think of a better way to mark this milestone in European history than by sharing our love of music”, said Mario Draghi, President of the ECB.

The series of events will be launched in co-operation with the Hessischer Rundfunk on 22 August with the Europa Open Air concert. One of the biggest open air concerts held in Frankfurt and the Rhine-Main region and attended by more than 20,000 people every year, it will feature popular classics from all over Europe, such as Händel’s Hallelujah Chorus, Verdi’s Aida, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy (which has become the anthem of Europe) and Händel’s Zadok the Priest (the UEFA Champions League anthem).

The next event features the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester (sometimes called the “Europa Orchestra”), which consists of talented young musicians from all over Europe. The season’s opening evening at the Alte Oper on 5 September is dedicated to Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony and will also include pieces by Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler.

On 10 October, the Vincent Peirani Living Being Quintet, who describe themselves as a “rock chamber music orchestra”, will present a mixture of rock, chanson, pop and Western music against the historical backdrop of the Paulskirche. The concert is organised in partnership with the Banque de France and the City of Frankfurt. In addition to offering a musical speciality, the concert doubles as the ECB’s annual charity event in Frankfurt. This year’s donations will help support the Fraport Skyliners’ “Basketball macht Schule” youth initiative, which encourages both a healthier lifestyle and integration for schoolchildren in the region. The ECB will match the donations collected from participants during the evening.

The ECB Visitor Center will open its doors to the young and talented members of the Feuerbach Quartett on 23 October, for an evening of chamber music, as part of the MuseumsSalon series. The performance will look at European music in a new light, inspired, among others, by Irish ballads, Spanish flamenco and popular Italian arias.

Next year’s European Cultural Days will feature Poland.

For media queries, please contact Eszter Miltényi-Torstensson, tel.: +49 69 1344 8034.

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