State of the Union 2017: Commission presents strategy for a smart, innovative and sustainable industry
The Commission today presented a renewed EU Industrial Policy Strategy for a world leading industry in innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation. Industry is at the heart of the Juncker Commission’s political priorities since the beginning of the mandate. Now the Commission brings together all horizontal and sector-specific initiatives to support industry into a comprehensive strategy. The strategy announces new initiatives in the areas of circular economy, mobility, intellectual property, public procurement, skills and sustainable finance, in addition to the proposals on trade, investment screening, cybersecurity and data announced by President Juncker in his State of the Union address on 13 September. It also clarifies the tasks ahead for all actors involved and sets out the fora – an annual Industry Day, the first edition of which took place in February 2017, and a High Level Industrial Roundtable – that will allow in particular industry and civil society to steer industrial policy actions in the future. For more information on today’s Industrial Policy Strategy see related press release, factsheets on the Strategy and Key Commission initiatives and stockshots on European industry. The press conference with Vice-President Katainen and Commissioner Bieńkowska held today in Brussels can be watched on EbS. (For more information: Lucia Caudet – Tel.: + 32 229 56182; Mirna Talko – Tel.: +32 229 87278; Maud Noyon – Tel.: +32 229 80379)
Juncker Plan supports agriculture project in Bulgaria as EIB opens office in Sofia
The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a loan agreement in Bulgaria with Oliva AD, the leading sunflower and oil producer and grain trader in the country. The company will use the loan to finance the construction of a new sunflower oilseed production plant and storage and logistics facilities in the Beloslav municipality near Varna. This agreement is supported by the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the core part of the Investment Plan for Europe, or so-called Juncker Plan. The EIB also opened a new office in Sofia today, which will help provide local, targeted assistance for project promoters and small businesses looking for investment. Commissioner for Agriculture, Phil Hogan, said: “I welcome the EIB’s commitment to targeting EU investment to the agri-food sector. This is a growth sector with massive potential to contribute more to job creation and growth with smart, tailored investment. I encourage any and all agri-food operators with a suitable investment plan to make contact with the EIB to investigate what options may be open to them.” (For more information see the new and updated website, which has the latest data about EFSI financing including results for all countries, material such as stories about small businesses that have benefitted from the EFSI, and all the latest news. You can also contact Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)
European Year for Cultural Heritage 2018: Commission launches a call for proposals
Today, under its Creative Europe programme for the cultural and creative sectors, the Commission launches a call for proposals to fund transnational cooperation projects linked to the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. The call is an invitation to cultural actors such as concert halls, opera houses and theatre groups across the EU to get involved in the Year’s activities to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space. Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics, said: “Today, we are taking another step towards making the European Year of Cultural Heritage 2018 a reality. Our rich cultural heritage is a great asset. It is about much more than the past – it has a key role in building our future. We are looking for projects that will highlight the European dimension of that rich cultural heritage in all its forms. As President Juncker said in his State of the Union Address, we must celebrate cultural diversity in 2018.” In total, €5 million are expected to be available for the heritage projects. The Commission will favour projects that focus on awareness raising and communication activities, and which will make a long-term impact. The deadline for submission is 22 November 2017. Projects should start between January and September 2018, and can run for a maximum duration of 24 months. More information on the Year is available here. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel. +32 229 67083; Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: +32 229 56184; Julia Bräuer – Tel.: +32 229 80707)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EU at UN General Assembly: Kick-Off of the activities:
The EU’s activities around the 72nd UN General Assembly ministerial week kicked off on Sunday in New York, with a ministerial level meeting on Climate change hosted by Commissioner Arias Cañete. Vice-President Ansip participated in the annual meeting of the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development to promote broadband access. Today, Commissioner Malmström will launch the Alliance for Torture-Free Trade, which aims at ending trade in goods used for capital punishment and torture. The initiative is a joint effort with Argentina and Mongolia, and so far, more than 50 countries have signed up to it. First Vice-President Timmermans will be speaking at several events, including on WEF Sustainable Development Impact summit, launch of Equal Pay International Coalition as well as at Columbia University. High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini will participate at a ministerial discussion on Syria and attend alongside Commissioner Hahn the Ad-hoc Liaison Committee for Palestine. She will also be at a high-level G-5 Sahel meeting and host informal gathering of EU Foreign Ministers, which Commissioner Hahn will also attend. Commissioner Avramopoulos will deliver a keynote speech on the role and responsibilities of private actors in strengthening the stability and international security of cyberspace. Together with Commissioner Hahn, he will have a meeting with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi. Commissioner Mimica will attend a high-level event on Scaling up Nutrition and address the UN Private Sector Forum 2017. Commissioner Stylianides will be at a high-level event on Hurricane Irma, and address the UNFPA event on Rebuilding Shattered Lives and Communities: Chibok and Yazidi Girls and Women. Audio-visual coverage of the events will be available on EbS. Follow EU@UN for updates throughout the day. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Esther Osorio – Tel.: +32 229 62076)
Commissioner Navracsics to address ‘Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe’ Award Ceremony
Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics, will this evening speak at the award ceremony for the European label for festivals, ‘Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe’ at the BOZAR in Brussels. Commissioner Navracsics will use the occasion to stress that, by highlighting the role of culture in creating a European identity and in building the future together, festivals can make a valuable contribution to the upcoming European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018. The ceremony will showcase the six most notable European Arts Festivals chosen by an international jury from a pool of 715 festivals from 39 countries (participating in the Creative Europe programme). Operated by the European Festivals Association, ‘Europe for Festivals, Festivals for Europe’ is a pilot project supported by the European Commission to reward European cultural festivals for their contribution to European cultural life and their role in tackling societal challenges. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: +32 229 56184; Julia-Henriette Bräuer – Tel.: +32 229 80707)
Commissioner Andriukaitis in Kaunas for Citizens’ Dialogue and launch of the second European Joint Action on chronic diseases
European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis, is on official visit to Lithuania on 18-19 September. On 18 September Commissioner Andriukaitis delivers his speech at the launching of the second European Joint Action on preventing and addressing chronic diseases. On Tuesday 19 September, Commissioner Andriukaitis will hold a Citizens’ Dialogue in Kaunas at 11:00 CET, which can be followed live. In addition to health and food safety topics, Commissioner invites citizens to discuss the present and the future of the EU. Citizens and media can attend the debate in person. (For more information: Anca Paduraru – Tel.: +32 229 91269; Aikaterini Apostola – Tel.: +32 229 87624)
Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)
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