President Juncker visits Portugal, 30-31 October
At the invitation of the Portuguese President, President Juncker is travelling to Portugal today and tomorrow on what is his second official visit to the country as President of the Commission. Later today, in Lisbon, he will meet Prime Minister António Costa in a bilateral meeting, before being received by President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and will then participate, on invitation of the President, in a meeting of the Council of State. Tomorrow, 31 October, President Juncker will be awarded the Honoris Causa diploma by the University of Coimbra, in the presence of President Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Assembly of the Republic Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, Prime Minister Costa, and representatives of the diplomatic corps of the EU countries. After a working lunch with Prime Minister Costa, President Juncker and the Prime Minister will meet the leaders of the 130-year-old Academic Association of Coimbra and participate in a debate with students and entrepreneurs on “Future of Europe – what Europe do we want?” at the Gil Vicente Academic Theatre. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: +32 229 56185)
Le Plan Juncker traverse l’Atlantique: premier projet signé en Guyane
Vendredi à Cayenne, à l’occasion de la conférence des Présidents des Régions Ultrapériphériques, le premier projet guyanais sous le Plan Juncker a été signé en présence du Président de la Commission européenne Jean-Claude Juncker. L’Europe soutient ainsi la construction d’un complexe composé d’une résidence pour les seniors et d’un hôtel dans la commune de Macouria. La Commissaire Corina Creţu, en charge de la Politique régionale, a déclaré: « J’ai été ravie de signer ce projet en Guyane en présence du Président Juncker. La dimension sociale est au cœur du Plan d’Investissement; ces projets petits par la taille ont un grand impact dans la vie des communautés. Celui-ci créera des emplois mais surtout du lien social dans la région. Dans le cadre de notre nouvelle stratégie pour les régions ultrapériphériques, nous travaillons avec la Banque européenne d’investissement sur une initiative dédiée, pour qu’elles aient plus facilement accès aux Fonds européens pour les investissements stratégiques. » Le projet, soutenu par l’Agence française de Développement, est également un exemple d’une combinaison réussie entre les fonds de la politique de Cohésion, qui apportent ici 4 millions d’euros, et le Fonds européen pour les investissements stratégiques (EFSI). Par ailleurs, la Commission salue l’extension de l’accord de partage de risque entre la Banque Européenne d’Investissement et l’Agence Française de Développement aux Territoires français d’Outre-mer, comme la Polynésie française, par exemple. Sous le Plan Juncker, les deux entités avaient signé en décembre 2016 un programme cadre de 150 millions d’euros pour développer les financements dans les Départements d’Outre-Mer, grâce à la garantie européenne. Avec cette extension de l’accord, le montant total des financements sous ce programme augmentera de 30 millions d’euros, pour s’élever à 180 millions d’euros. Plus d’informations sur la nouvelle stratégie de l’UE pour les régions ultrapériphériques sont disponibles en ligne. Retrouvez la visite du Président Juncker et de la Commissaire Creţu en Guyane sur le portail audiovisuel de la Commission. (Pour plus d’informations: Margaritis Schinas – Tel.: +32 229 60524; Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tel.: +32 229 56169)
Concentrations: la Commission autorise l’acquisition d’ENGIE E&P par le groupe Carlyle, CVC et CIC
La Commission européenne a approuvé en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l’acquisition de la société française ENGIE E&P International S.A. par le groupe américain Carlyle, la société luxembourgeoise CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS S.A. et la société chinoise China Investment Corporation (“CIC”). ENGIE E&P est présent sur le marché de l’exploration et de la production pétrolières, ainsi que sur celui de services connexes ayant notamment trait au forage, au reconditionnement et aux gisements pétroliers. Carlyle et CVC sont des sociétés de gestion d’actifs. CIC est une entreprise d’État dont l’objet est de diversifier le portefeuille de devises étrangères de l’État chinois. Les activités des sociétés se recouvrent partiellement en ce qui concerne l’exploration pétrolière et gazière, le développement, la production et la fourniture en gros de gaz et de pétrole brut, et le raffinage de ce dernier. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence compte-tenu de la faiblesse de la part de marché combinée des sociétés, et de la présence d’un nombre significatif de concurrents sérieux sur chaque marché. L’opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrencede la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d’affaire M.8542. (Pour plus d’informations: Lucía Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182; Maria Sarantopoulou – Tel.: +32 229 13740)
EU and Egypt cooperation: towards a stronger partnership
The EU adopted a multiannual framework defining the priorities for the financial and technical cooperation with Egypt for the period 2017-2020, with a special focus on youth and women. Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for the European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, currently in Cairo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the EU Single Support Framework with the Egyptian authorities. Commissioner Hahn also signed two financial agreements supporting the sectors of health, environment and transport as well as a €60 million programme to support Egypt in addressing migration challenges. High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: “With the new EU-Egypt Partnership Priorities, we are focussing on the future of the Egyptian people. We believe that social development and social protection, especially when it comes to young people and women, are key towards sustainable growth and stability in Egypt and in the region. That is why we put them at the basis of our partnership”. Commenting on the signature together with Sahar Nasr Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, Commissioner Johannes Hahn said: “We recognise the significant socio-economic challenges Egypt is facing. The EU is fully committed to supporting Egypt’s efforts to reform its economy to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth, and to tackle key socio-economic challenges, such as the high population growth and the impact of economic reforms on the most vulnerable.” The full press release is available online. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic – Tel.: +32 229 86570; Catherine Ray – Tel.: +32 2 296 99 21; Alceo Smerilli – Tel.: +32 229 64887)
Forest fires: EU helps mobilise firefighting planes and satellite mapping for Italy
The European Commission has helped mobilise emergency support for Italy through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, following a request for assistance to battle forest fires in the country. In an immediate response, Croatia has offered 2 specialised Canadair planes that have been operating in the affected areas in northern Italy since yesterday. The EU’s Copernicus satellite system has also been activated to provide mapping services for the local civil protection authorities. “The EU is here to help. Firefighting aircraft and our EU satellite mapping system are supporting the national civil protection authorities. I want to thank Croatia for its swift response to Italy’s request. Our thoughts are with all the people and the brave first responders working in the affected areas. This week I had the pleasure of meeting the head of the Italian Civil Protection department Mr Borelli and our cooperation with Italy is excellent,” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. The Commission’s 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre is closely monitoring the situation in Italy and other natural disasters across Europe, including the flooding in northern and central Europe over recent days. The EU Civil Protection Mechanism has now been activated 17 times since this summer by several countries across Europe for forest fires. The European Commission coordinates offers of assistance through the Civil Protection Mechanism and offers to co-finance related transport costs to countries offering support. President Juncker has tasked Commissioner Stylianides to put forward proposals this year to boost the EU’s Civil Protection Mechanism, following the many devastating natural disasters across Europe this past year. Photos and video stockshots of the Emergency Centre are available, as well as a MEMO ‘Fighting forest fires in Europe – how it works’. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Vice-President Dombrovskis in Tallinn, Estonia
Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union, is in Tallinn and Tartu for a European Semester visit and a Citizens’ Dialogue on 30 to 31 October. Vice-President Dombrovskis’ visit also includes several bilateral meetings, including with Kersti Kaljulaid, President of Estonia, Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia, Toomas Tõniste, Minister of Finance of Estonia, Ardo Hansson, Governor of the Bank of Estonia and Eiki Nestor, Speaker of the Riigikogu, Parliament of Estonia.On Monday, the Vice-President will deliver a keynote speech on “The Future of the Economic and Monetary Union. The Treaty on Stability, Coordination and Governance and the EU Legal Framework” at the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union(SECG) in Tallinn. On Tuesday, Vice-President Dombrovskis will participate in a Citizens’ Dialogue on “The Future of the Economic and Monetary Union“, in the framework of the European Semester in Tartu. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Juliana Dahl – Tel.: +32 229 64976)
Future of EU finances – Commissioner Oettinger visits Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania
Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger, in charge of Budget and Human Resources, is visiting Estonia on 31 October, Latvia on 1 November and Lithuania on 2 November as part of his tour across EU Member States aimed to gather views on the future of EU finances and the post-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). In Estonia, the Commissioner will meet the country’s Prime Minister, Mr Jüri Ratas, Mr Toomas Tõniste, Minister of Finance, and Mr Matti Maasikas, Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister. He will also exchange views with members of the Finance, Economic Affairs and EU Affairs Committees of the Estonian Parliament. Commissioner Oettinger will deliver a keynote speech at the Interparliamentary Conference on Stability, Economic Coordination and Governance in the European Union and answer questions by citizens at a Citizens’ dialogue in the Estonian Business School. In Latvia, the Commissioner will meet Ms Dana Reizniece-Ozola, Minister of Finance, Mr Edgars Rinkēvičs, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Kaspars Gerhards, Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, and Mr Jānis Dūklavs, Minister of Agriculture. Commissioner Oettinger will discuss the challenges ahead of the EU budget with members of the European Affairs and Budget Committees of the Latvian Parliament, and with the wider public at a Citizens’ Dialogue. In Lithuania, the Commissioner will meet the country’s Prime Minister, Mr Saulius Skvernelis, Mr Vilius Šapoka, Minister of Finance, Mr Bronius Markauskas, Minister of Agriculture, Mr Žygimantas Vaičiūnas, Minister of Energy, and Mr Albinas Zananavičius, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. Commissioner Oettinger will visit the Parliament and meet the speaker and members of the European Affairs committee and deliver a keynote speech at a conference on Lithuania and the future of EU finances. The meetings in the three Baltic states are part of the Commissioner’s tour aimed to gather the broadest possible views on the future of EU finances – #MFFtour27. The Commission kicked off this debate on 28 June 2017 with the publication its Reflection paper on the future of EU finances, which is also available in Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian. Stakeholder views will be taken into account when preparing the next MFF, to be presented in May 2018. (For more information: Alexander Winterstein – Tel.: +32 229 93265; Andreana Stankova – Tel.: +32 229 57857)
Commissioner Jourová on visit to Prague
Today, Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality, Vera Jourová, is on a visit to Prague, Czech Republic. This morning, the Commissioner gave a keynote speech at the conference “Jewish Communities and Western Democracies: What Future?”. In the afternoon, she will participate in a round table with stakeholders to discuss the Commission Work Programme for next year. The Commissioner will use this visit also as an opportunity to meet Mr Aleš Chmelař, Czech State Secretary for European Affairs, and Mr Ondřej Malý, Government Co-ordinator of Digital Agenda. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Mélanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 58659)
Commissioner Gabriel in Bucharest to discuss progress on Digital Single Market legislation
Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society, Mariya Gabriel is in Bucharest, Romania for a two-day visit. This morning she delivered a keynote speech at the 7th annual high-level international conference ‘New global challenges in cybersecurity’ focussing on the Commission’s proposals to scale up EU’s response to cyber-attacks. After the speech she met with Romania’s Minister for Communications and Information Society Lucian Șova to discuss among other digital topics the coordination of spectrum policies that is vital for successful 5G deployment. Later today, Commissioner Gabriel will meet Deputy Vice Prime Minister of Romania Ion-Marcel Ciolacu with a focus on the swift progress on the Digital Single Market legislation. Additionally to the bilateral meetings, the Commissioner will visit the startup mentoring programme Innovation Labs, hold a meeting on tackling illegal content online and participate in a working breakfast of the Digital Romania International Forum ‘Start-ups in 4.0 industries’. Tomorrow morning she will hold a keynote speech at the Forum and meet the representatives of the Parliament of Romania. In the afternoon she will briefly meet Codette community – an education and inclusion project brought to life by women who are passionate about ICT –, and visit Dream project dedicated to the inclusion of blind or visually impaired people. The Commissioner’s visit concludes with a bilateral meeting with Alexandru Oprean, State Secretary in the Romanian Ministry of Culture. (For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Inga Höglund – Tel.: +32 229 50698)
Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)
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