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EU releases its proposal for rules on global electronic commerce

As part of its commitment to transparency and inclusiveness in development of its trade policy, the Commission today made public its proposal for future international rules on e-commerce. Despite a fast increase in digital trade, there are currently no multilateral rules in this area. In January 2019, a group of 76 members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), including the EU, decided to launch negotiations that should result in a multilateral legal framework that consumers and businesses could rely on to make it easier and safer to buy, sell and do business online. The rules proposed by the EU would among others guarantee the validity of e-contracts and e-signatures, strengthen consumers’ trust in the on-line environment, introduce measures to effectively combat spam, tackle barriers that prevent cross-border sales and permanently ban customs duties on electronic transmissions. A group of interested WTO Members held a first meeting on 6 March to agree on the process for WTO e-commerce negotiations. The EU proposal will be discussed along proposals from other participating WTO members during meetings planned from 13 to 15 May in Geneva. More information available here. (For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: + 32 229 56172; Kinga Malinowska – Tel: +32 229 51383)

Strengthening EU-Japan cooperation in artificial intelligence, research and innovation

Today, Andrus Ansip, European Commission Vice-President for the Digital Single Market, and Carlos Moedas, Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, met Takuya Hirai, Japan’s Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy. They discussed new opportunities to strengthen cooperation, building on the joint statement of the 26^th EU-Japan summit, which took place on 25 April. More specifically, Vice-President Ansip and Minister Hirai discussed how to promote a human-centric approach to artificial intelligence as well as common work on data and trust (in line with the recent Communication on Building trust in human-centric artificial intelligence). Today’s discussions also aimed to prepare the ministerial meetings on digital of the G7 and G20 respectively taking place in Paris on 15 May and in Japan on 8-9 June. Vice-President Ansip will participate in both events. Commissioner Moedas and Minister Hirai discussed the introduction of new programmes for research and innovation on both sides. They expect EU-Japan cooperation in science, technology and innovation to increase in areas of mutual interest, in line with last year’s EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement. More information on the meetings and joint statements are available here and here. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Inga Höglund – Tel.: +32 229 50698)

 

TRADE: Commission publishes first trade defence measures based on new anti-dumping methodology

The Commission today published its first anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures based on the new anti-dumping methodology for imports from countries with significant market distortions. The measures published today will ensure fair market conditions for EU producers of organic coated steel, used mainly in the construction sector. The measures on Chinese imports put in place initially in 2013 will now be extended for another 5-year period. The duties range from 13.7% to 58.3%. This is one more example of the Commission’s consistent action to support the European steel industry when confronted with unfair trade, in line with a strategy adopted in 2016 to handle consequences of the global overcapacity crisis. 52 EU anti-dumping and anti-subsidy measures currently in place concern steel products and shield 141,000 direct jobs in the sector. The value of the European market of organics coated steel is estimated for €4 billion. (For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: + 32 229 56172; Kinga Malinowska – Tel: +32 229 51383)

State aid: Commission publishes the non-confidential version of decision to open in-depth investigation into Luxembourg’s tax treatment of Huhtamäki
Today, the Commission has published the non-confidential version of its decision, adopted on 7 March 2019, to open an in-depth investigation into Luxembourg’s tax treatment of Huhtamäki. The Commission has concerns that three tax rulings granted by Luxembourg to Finnish food and drink packaging company Huhtamäki may have allowed the company to pay less tax and, hence, given it an unfair advantage over its competitors, in breach of EU State aid rules. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives Luxembourg and interested third parties an opportunity to submit comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. One of the three tax rulings under investigation was disclosed as part of the over 500 files disclosed as part of the “Luxleaks” investigation led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists in 2014. Furthermore, about 200 files disclosed as part of “Luxleaks” concerned financing companies and intercompany financing. In January 2017, following discussions with the Commission, Luxembourg introduced changes to their national tax rules to make the tax treatment of financing companies more stringent. The new rules, which concern a significant number of “Luxleaks” rulings aim to ensure that financing companies are taxed sufficiently and imply that the rulings regarding certain financing companies issued before 2017, including those from the Luxleaks files, no longer bind the tax authorities in Luxembourg. The decision is available under the case number SA.50400 on the Commission’s competition website. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Giulia Astuti – Tel.: +32 229 55344)

Eurostat: Les prix à la production industrielle en baisse de 0,1% dans la zone euro, hausse de 0,1% dans l’UE28

En mars 2019 par rapport à février 2019, les prix à la production industrielle ont diminué de 0,1% dans la zone euro (ZE19) et ont augmenté de 0,1% dans l’UE28, selon les estimations d’Eurostat, l’office statistique de l’Union européenne. En février 2019, les prix avaient augmenté de 0,1% dans la zone euro et de 0,2% dans l’UE28. En mars 2019 par rapport à mars 2018, les prix à la production industrielle ont augmenté de 2,9% dans la zone euro et de 3,1% dans l’UE28. Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d’informations: Lucía Caudet – Tél.: +32 229 56182; Victoria Von Hammerstein – Tél.: +32 229 55040)

Eurostat: Estimation rapide – avril 2019 – Le taux d’inflation annuel de la zone euro en hausse à 1,7%

Le taux d’inflation annuel de la zone euro est estimé à 1,7% en avril 2019, contre 1,4% en mars selon une estimation rapide publiée par Eurostat, l’office statistique de l’Union européenne. S’agissant des principales composantes de l’inflation de la zone euro, l’énergie devrait connaître le taux annuel le plus élevé en avril (5,4%, comparé à 5,3% en mars), suivie des services (1,9%, comparé à 1,1% en mars), de l’alimentation, alcool & tabac (1,5%, comparé à 1,8% en mars) et des biens industriels hors énergie (0,2%, comparé à 0,1% en mars). Un communiqué de presse est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d’informations : Vanessa Mock +32 22956194; Enda McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 58615)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Le commissaire Navracsics à Paris pour la réunion ministérielle à la suite de l’incendie dans la cathédrale de Notre-Dame

Tibor Navracsics, commissaire chargé de l’éducation, de la culture, de la jeunesse et des sports, est aujourd’hui à Paris pour assister à une réunion spéciale des ministres de la Culture, organisée à la suite de l’incendie qui a frappé Notre-Dame de Paris. Les discussions porteront sur la mise en place d’un mécanisme de coopération pour mettre en commun des ressources et des compétences afin de mieux protéger le patrimoine culturel européen en péril. Le commissaire Tibor Navracsics a déclaré: « Notre patrimoine culturel est une ressource commune sur laquelle nous devons bâtir notre avenir. Nous ne devons jamais oublier que l’absence d’action, le manque d’entretien ou de prévention sont également coûteux. Nous devons investir davantage, mais il s’agit d’une responsabilité partagée des gouvernements, des entreprises et des citoyens de toute l’Europe. L’UE se tient toujours prête à aider à mieux promouvoir et protéger notre patrimoine culturel. » Parallèlement à la réunion des ministres de la Culture, les ministres des Affaires européennes discuteront des moyens d’améliorer la coordination et l’utilisation des mécanismes de financement existants de l’UE pour soutenir le patrimoine. Une réunion conjointe de tous les ministres suivra, au cours de laquelle ils devraient adopter une déclaration. En 2018, en clôture de l’Année européenne du patrimoine culturel, la Commission avait annoncé une série d’actions en faveur du patrimoine culturel. (Pour plus d’informations: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tél .: +32 229 67083, Joseph Waldstein Tél.: +32 2 29 56184)

27ème Journée Portes Ouvertes des institutions européennes: le Berlaymont ouvre ses portes aux visiteurs

Demain, les institutions européennes se mobilisent une journée entière pour faire découvrir l’Europe et leur travail au public. Du côté de la Commission européenne, la cérémonie d’ouverture est prévue au Berlaymont à 10 heures, en présence du commissaire chargé de l’aide humanitaire et de la gestion des crises, Christos Stylianides. Trente stands y présenteront de manière divertissante et interactive les principales réussites de l’UE et mettront en lumière ce que l’Europe fait pour les citoyens dans la vie quotidienne ainsi que pour promouvoir l’engagement dans le processus démocratique. Des visites guidées du 13ème étage de la Commission, où se trouve la salle de réunion du Collège des Commissaires, seront proposées aux visiteurs, ainsi que des visites des studios audiovisuels, de la salle de presse et de la salle de cinéma avec la projection de court métrages de réalisateurs européens dans le cadre de la campagne EUandMe. Une série de mini-débats/présentations avec des personnalités de la Commission européenne sera organisée à partir de 11 heures. Des activités de plein air sur l’esplanade du Berlaymont seront aussi disponibles, avec un jeu de l’Oie géant sur l’UE, un grand mur d’expressions, des animations et concerts. 15 000 visiteurs sont attendus demain à la Commission européenne. Plus d’informations ici. (Pour plus d’informations: Enrico Brivio – Tél.: + 32 229 56172)

Food Waste: 6^th meeting of EU Platform to focus on the business case for food waste prevention

Next Monday, 06 May, Vice-President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, Jyrki Katainen, currently in charge of Health and Food Safety, will open the 6th EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste, which will take stock of recent progress made in EU actions to fight food waste as one of the priority areas of the Circular Economy Action Plan of the Commission. Ahead of the meeting, Vice-President Katainen said: “The actions launched in recent years have put the EU at the forefront of global action aiming to halve food waste by 2030. However, this target cannot be reached without making food waste reduction and prevention part and parcel of business operations and of our daily lives. Together, we need to redesign a food system that minimises losses, promotes circularity and maximises value. Europe needs a comprehensive, innovative and integrated approach to move towards more sustainable food systems and each actor has an important role to play. I look forward to hearing innovative proposals in the context of this sixth Platform meeting.” Launched in 2016, the Platform brings together both public and private interests in order to foster cooperation amongst all key players in the food value chain and help accelerate the EU’s progress towards the global Sustainable Development Goal of halving food waste by 2030. On 06 May, members will discuss the importance of assessing the effectiveness of food waste prevention actions in order to accelerate transfer of learning, adoption and uptake of food waste prevention solutions. With support of the Platform, the Commission has adopted EU guidelines to facilitate food donation and the feed use of food no longer intended for human consumption, developed food waste measurement methodology and is undertaking work to improve date marking practices. The meeting will be web-streamed here. (For more information: Anca Paduraru – Tel.: +32 229 66430 – Aikaterini Apostola – Tel. +32 229 8762)

 

Commissioner Hahn in Bratislava in the run-up to the Eastern Partnership 10^th Anniversary

Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, will travel to Bratislava, Slovakia on 6 May to participate in the informal Eastern Partnership V4 ministerial meeting. The meeting is organised by the Visegrád Group and precedes the 10^th year Anniversary event of the Eastern Partnership, which will take place in Brussels from 13 to 14 May. The Bratislava meeting will focus on the future of the Eastern Partnership, regional security, economic cooperation, connectivity, infrastructure and energy. “This year the EU and its six Eastern partner countries are celebrating 10 years of strengthened cooperation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership”, said Commissioner Hahn. “This meeting will provide all partners with the opportunity to showcase our many joint achievements. The implementation of reforms and delivering tangible benefits for citizens will remain a key priority in the years to come. In this context, the commitment of the Visegrád countries to the Eastern Partnership demonstrates that we are stronger together.” Commissioner Hahn will meet with Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Visegrád Group – Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia – and of the Eastern Partnership countries – Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Photos and video of the mission will be available on EbS. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Adam Kaznowski – Tel: +32 229 89359)

 

Le commissaire Moscovici à Nancy, France, pour participer à un Dialogue citoyen ce lundi

Le commissaire Pierre Moscovici, en charge des affaires économiques et financières, la fiscalité et les douanes, sera à Nancy, en France, ce lundi 6 mai pour participer à un Dialogue citoyen avec les étudiants de Sciences Po sur le thème « Quelle Europe au lendemain des élections européennes ? ». Le débat sera retransmis en direct sur Facebook. Il rencontrera également M. Laurent Hénart, Maire de Nancy et des membres du Conseil Municipal. Le Commissaire participera aussi à un déjeuner de travail avec M. Eric Freysselinard, préfet de Meurthe-et-Moselle, le Maire de Nancy et des acteurs locaux sur le thème « Comment favoriser le développement de l’économie locale avec l’Europe », à la Mairie de Nancy. (Pour plus d’informations : Vanessa Mock +32 22956194; Enda McNamara – Tél.: +32 229 58615; Patrick McCullough – Tel.: +32 229 87183)

Calendar– Commissioner’s weekly activities

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

(Susceptible de modifications en cours de semaine)

Déplacements et visites

 

Lundi 6 mai 2019

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Hans Peter Doskozil, Landeshauptmann of Burgenland.

President Jean-Claude Juncker, accompanied by Ms Marianne Thyssen, participates in an informal dinner with the European Social Partners hosted by Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives the European Leadership Award at the European Business Summit 2019.

Ms Federica Mogherini in San José, Costa Rica: co-chairs a meeting of the International Contact Group on Venezuela.

Mr Andrus Ansip gives a keynote speech and participates in a panel at the Plenary Session of the 2019 European Business Summit “Tomorrow’s Europe: Inclusive, Innovative, Interconnected”, in Brussels.

Mr Maroš Šefcovic in Bratislava, Slovakia: meets Mr Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister of Slovakia.

Mr Maroš Šefčovič in Bratislava, Slovakia: meets Mr Richard Rasi, Deputy Prime Minister of Slovakia.

Mr Jyrki Katainen delivers a keynote speech at the high-level lunch of the EU-China Business Association, in Brussels.

Mr Jyrki Katainen participates in a roundtable meeting at the European Business Summit, in Brussels.

Mr Jyrki Katainen opens the 6^th meeting of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste, in Brussels.

Günther H. Oettinger in Luxembourg: meets with Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg, and holds a Citizens’ Dialogue together with him.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Bratislava, Slovakia: participates in the Visegrád Group + Eastern Partnership (EaP) ministerial meeting.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Vienna, Austria: participates in a panel discussion on “The Future of the EU”.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in Gothenburg, Sweden: participates in a conference on the future of Europe and the European elections.

Mr Neven Mimica in Cairo, Egypt: meets Mr Mostafa Madbouly, Prime Minister of Egypt; meets Mr Sameh Hassan Shoukry, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt, meets Mr Sahar Nasr, Minister for Investment and International Cooperation of Egypt.

Mr Karmenu Vella in Metz, France: represents the European Commission at the G7 Environment Ministers Meeting.

M. Pierre Moscovici à Nancy, France : rencontre M. Laurent Hénart, Maire de Nancy ; rencontre les membres du Conseil Municipal ; participe à un déjeuner de travail avec M. Eric Freysselinard, Préfet de Meurthe-et-Moselle, M. Laurent Hénart, Maire de Nancy et les acteurs locaux sur le thème « Comment favoriser le développement de l’économie locale avec l’Europe », à la Mairie de Nancy ; participe au Dialogue Citoyen à Sciences Po sur le thème « Quelle Europe au lendemain des élections européennes ? ».

Mr Phil Hogan participates in the high level EU-Africa Business Summit Roundtable, in Brussels.

Mr Phil Hogan in Helsinki, Finland: meets Mr Petteri Orpo, Deputy Prime Minister of Finland; and meets Mr Jari Leppä, Minister for Agriculture and Forestry of Finland.

Ms Violeta Bulc receives representatives of the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) Initiative.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Budapest, Hungary: holds a Citizens’ Dialogue with students at the Budapest Metropolitan University.

Ms Margrethe Vestager participates in an on-stage discussion hosted by the Open Society Institute and Carnegie, in Brussels.

Ms Margrethe Vestager and Ms Violeta Bulc in Bruges, Belgium: hold a Citizens’ Dialogue.

Mr Carlos Moedas participates in a panel discussion at the European Political Strategy Centre (EPSC)’s launch event of the landmark Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) publication ‘The European Project and Its Core Values’, in Brussels.

Mr Julian King delivers the keynote speech at the Forum on Internal Security “Cybercrime: A still underestimated challenge?” organised by the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the EU together with the Hanns-Seidel-Foundation and Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, in Brussels

 

Mardi 7 mai 2019

College Meeting

President Jean-Claude Juncker holds a press conference ahead of the informal meeting of EU27 leaders in Sibiu, Romania.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Pierre Gattaz, President of BusinessEurope.

President Jean-Claude Juncker receives Mr Laurent Berger, Secretary-General of the Confédération française démocratique du travail (CFDT).

Ms Federica Mogherini in San José, Costa Rica: co-chairs a meeting of the International Contact Group on Venezuela.

Mr Andrus Ansip receives Mr Mark Chandler, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal officer for Cisco.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis and Mr Phil Hogan in Riga, Latvia: deliver keynote speeches and take part in a panel discussion at the conference: “15 out of 100. The 15 years of Latvia’s Membership in the European Union”; and participate in a discussion with farmers organisations and NGOs, with the participation of Mr Kaspars Gerhards, Minister for Agriculture of Latvia.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (until 08/05): chairs the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Board of Governor´s meeting.

Ms Cecilia Malmström participates in a roundtable discussion at the European Business Summit, in Brussels.

Ms Cecilia Malmström delivers a keynote address at the Flanders International Economic Summit, in Brussels.

Ms Cecilia Malmström receives Mr Guy Ryder, Director-General of the International Labour Organization.

Mr Miguel Arias Cañete in Stockholm, Sweden: presents the Commission’s 2050 Long-Term Strategy “A Clean Planet for all” to the Swedish Parliament; meets Ms Isabella Lovin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Environment and Climate of Sweden; meets Mr Anders Ygeman, Minister for Energy and Digital Development.

Mr Karmenu Vella delivers a speech at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit 2019, in Brussels.

Mr Karmenu Vella presents the EU’s electronic Catch Documentation and Traceability (CDT) System, and visits stands at Seafood Expo Global, in Brussels.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos in Valetta, Malta : meets with the President of Malta George Vella, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carmelo Abela, Tabib Michael Farrugia, Minister for Home Affairs and National Security and Minister of European Affairs Helena Dalli; and takes part in a Citizens’ Dialogue on Migration and the Future of Europe.

Mr Christos Stylianides receives Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako I, Patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church of Iraq.

Ms Vĕra Jourová speaks at the conference Digital Czech Republic: Technological Heart of Europe, Brussels

Ms Vĕra Jourová in Passau: meets Dr Florian Herrmann, Head of the State Chancellery and Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Medias of Bavaria and speaks at the Citizen’s Dialogue organised by University of Passau

Mr Carlos Moedas in Paris, France: meets a group of students from the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) of the Institut d’Études Politiques (SciencesPo) to discuss policy making in the area of Science Diplomacy.

Mr Julian King meets Mark Chandler, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer of Cisco Systems, in Brussels

 

Mercredi 8 mai 2019

President Jean-Claude Juncker participates in a Citizens’ Dialogue, together with Mr Klaus Iohannis, President of Romania, in Sibiu, Romania.

Ms Federica Mogherini in Tirana, Albania: participates in the Brdo–Brijuni Process Summit.

Mr Karmenu Vella receives Mr Harald Nesvik, Minister of Fisheries of Norway.               

Ms Marianne Thyssen, together with Mr Tibor Navracsics in Sibiu, Romania: opens the Youth Event “Let’s shape the future of Europe together”; and attends the Award Ceremony of the #MySocialEurope photo competition. 

Ms Violeta Bulc in Ljubljana, Slovenia: participates in the official celebration marking 15 years of EU membership of Slovenia.

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Sibiu, Romania: hands over awards to the monthly winners of the photo contest “My magical European Solidarity Corps moment”.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Berlin, Germany: participates the discussion in the re:publica event Fairness and Competitiveness in a Digitalised World.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Sliven, Bulgaria: delivers opening speech as patroness of the XXI National Children’s Book Festival.

 

Jeudi 9 mai 2019

Anniversaire de la Déclaration de Schuman – Jour férié de la Commission

Informal meeting of heads of state or government, Sibiu

President Jean-Claude Juncker participates in the EPP Summit, in Sibiu, Romania.

President Jean-Claude Juncker participates in the informal meeting of EU27 leaders in Sibiu, Romania.

President Jean-Claude Juncker holds a joint press conference, together with Mr Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, following the informal meeting of EU27 leaders in Sibiu, Romania.

Mr Frans Timmermans in Sibiu, Romania: on the occasion of the informal meeting of EU27 leaders.

Ms Federica Mogherini in Tirana, Albania: participates in the Brdo–Brijuni Process Summit.

Ms Federica Mogherini in Sibiu, Romania: attends the informal meeting of EU27 leaders.

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Cēsis,Latvia: takes part in a Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe and attends the Europe Day Reception.

Mr Jyrki Katainen in Warsaw, Poland: meets Ms Jadwiga Emilewicz, Minister of entrepreneurship, Mr Henryk Kowalczyk, Minister of environment; takes part in a Citizens’ Dialogue with former President of Poland Aleksander Kwaśniewski on the Future of Europe, 15 years of Poland in the EU and Youth in the EU; participates in the Europe Day reception organised by the European Commission Representation and the European Parliament Office in Poland; and attends a dinner with Mr Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw.

Mr Johannes Hahn in Grafenegg, Austria: participates in the ceremony on the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Ms Cecilia Malmström in Stockholm, Sweden: participates in a conference on the future of Europe and the European elections, hosted by Stockholm University.

Mr Dimitris Avramopoulos in Nicosia, Cyprus : participates in Europe Day celebrations.

Ms Elżbieta Bieńkowska is in Bytom, Poland: receives a European Prize of the town of Bytom.

Ms Vĕra Jourová in Prague: speaks at the Day of Europe public debate “15 Years Together” with the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Tomáš Petříček and Prague mayor Zdeněk Hřib

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Budapest, Hungary: promotes the European Games in 2019 by running with the Hungarian Olympic Committee and the Olympic Flame through Budapest.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Copenhagen, Denmark: delivers a keynote speech on the Europe Day celebration.

Mr Carlos Moedas in Braga, Portugal: participates at a Citizens’ Dialogue; participates at an Official Ceremony in occasion of Europe’s Day; attends a Rui Veloso Solidarity Concert organised by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Bank of Investments in occasion of Europe’s Day.

Ms Mariya Gabriel in Sofia, Bulgaria: speaks at the annual network meeting of the European Educational Publishers Group (EEPG); speaks at the opening of the Business Forum Balkan – Mediterranean with B2B meetings organised by the Human Resources Development Agency.

 

Vendredi 10 mai 2019

Mr Valdis Dombrovskis in Riga, Latvia: visits Iļģuciema secondary school under a “back to school” initiative and delivers a speech on the European and Latvian economy and on sustainable finance.

Günther H. Oettinger in Frankfurt, Germany: meets with Angela Merkel, German Chancellor; and takes part in the Future Europe conference.

 Mr Phil Hogan in Tokyo, Japan: meets Mr Takamori Yoshikawa, Minister of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries of Japan; and meets with leading agri-food professionals, importers, traders and retailers in the region.

Ms Věra Jourová in Paris: participates in G7 Ministerial Meeting dedicated to gender equality 

Mr Tibor Navracsics in Veszprém, Hungary: participates in and speaks at the ENriCH Conference – Reveal Youropean Cultural Heritage, co-organised by the Municipality of Veszprém together with partners from four other European cities.

Ms Margrethe Vestager in Copenhagen, Denmark: participates in the  Youth European Summit; delivers a keynote speech at the Technology Day of DK ingeniorforeningen; delivers a keynote speech on Competition and the rule of law to the European Association of Judges.  

Mr Carlos Moedas in Oeiras, Portugal: visits the ISQ, a specialized engineering consultancy company.

 

Samedi 11 mai 2019

Mr Andrus Ansip in Tallinn, Estonia: speaks at the “AI-Policy or AI-Policing” conference Session I – AI Policy.

Mr Phil Hogan in Niigata, Japan (until 12/05): participates in the G20 Agriculture Ministers meeting.

 

Dimanche 12 mai 2019

Mr Phil Hogan in Niigata, Japan: participates in the G20 Agriculture Ministers meeting.

 

Prévisions du mois de mai 2019 :

13/05 Foreign Affairs Council

14/05 Agriculture and Fisheries Council; Foreign Affairs Council (Defence)

16/05 Eurogroup; Foreign Affairs Council (Development)

17/05 Economic and Financial Affairs Council

20/05 Informal meeting of environment ministers

21/05 Informal meeting of environment ministers; General Affairs Council

22-23/05 Education, Youth, Culture and Sports Council

27-28/05 Competitiveness Council

28/05 Foreign Affairs Council (Trade

 

Permanence DG COMM le 9 mai 2019

CARDOSO Ricardo : +32 (0) 460 76 42 66

 

Permanence DG COMM le WE du 11 et 12 mai 2019

CAUDET Lucia: +32 (0) 460 75 61 82

 

Service Audiovisuel, planning studio – tél. : +32 (0)2/295 21 23

 

 

The two final reports contain technical advice to the EC on the integration of sustainability risks and factors, relating to environmental, social and good governance considerations with regards to investment firms and investment funds, into the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) (investment services), the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) and the Undertakings in Collective Investment in Transferable Securities (UCITS) Directive (investment funds).

ESMA ran a public consultation and hearing on its technical proposals and conducted a cost-benefit-analysis and has taken into account the opinion of the Securities Markets Stakeholder Group (SMSG).

ESMA, to ensure consistency, has developed its final report in cooperation with the European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority (EIOPA), which has received a similar mandate regarding Solvency II and the Insurance Distribution Directive (IDD).

Next steps

ESMA’s initial consultation contained a separate paper on guidelines for disclosure requirements applicable to credit ratings, including the consideration of environmental, social and governance factors. The final report of this paper is expected to be published by the end of July.

In March 2019, compared with February 2019, industrial producer prices fell by 0.1% in the euro area (EA19) and rose by 0.1% in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2019, prices increased by 0.1% in the euro area and by 0.2% in the EU28.

Full text available on EUROSTAT website