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 72^nd 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)

Dr Galea,

Dr Szocska,

Distinguished members of the CHRODIS PLUS consortium,

Like-minded friends,

It is a true pleasure for me to speak to you today, to launch our second European joint action on preventing and addressing chronic diseases – CHRODIS PLUS.

I am particularly pleased to join the Minister in welcoming me back to my home country.

Here in this room, we are well aware that chronic diseases kill half a million adults each year in the EU – according to recent OECD figures.

So many of us don’t even notice how and when from a ‘healthy’ person we shift to someone suffering from a chronic disease, because we have been slowly but gradually been affected by the risk factors around us and our own unhealthy lifestyles. Sometimes it is still possible to steer the wheel to a more healthier life direction. But sometimes it is also too late.

And it is a shame because chronic diseases, that inflict so much suffering on our citizens; and stop people from working and contributing to society are largely preventable.

Plus they also represent a major burden on European health systems, accounting for 70 to 80% of healthcare budgets.

The European Commission is determined to support Member States to reach the targets on non-communicable diseases set by the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

Many of these are about addressing the risk factors: reducing tobacco, alcohol consumption, and salt intake, improving the levels of physical activity – and ultimately reducing mortality caused by the related chronic diseases.

Many of these are also about early prevention, eraly diagnosis, and early treatments.

All countries in Europe need to focus more on keeping healthy people in good health for as long as possible; by addressing these risk factors.

Investing in promoting good health across the life cycle, pro-actively monitoring people’s health and preventing diseases: this is my prescription for better health; more people at work; lower healthcare costs.

Plus we need to reach out to the most vulnerable in society on our efforts to promote good health.

To succeed here, we need to work across policies to create the conditions that enable people to make healthy choices. For example, to make healthy food – or sports centres – easily available and affordable to all.

I very much expect our joint action CHRODIS PLUS to be an important pillar in this process.

The World Health Organization has recently analysed the progress made so far towards reaching the targets I mentioned – and I welcome the presence of WHO Europe here today.

On the positive side, I am pleased that, overall, mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, and chronic respiratory disease is going down.

At the same time, I am deeply concerned that health inequalities are widening. In this context, it is unlikely that Europe will meet the targets of halting the rise of the diabetes and obesity and achieving a 30% relative reduction in tobacco use.

This is why it is so important that all of you will be working closely together under this new joint action.

As its name suggests, CHRODIS PLUS builds on its predecessor, CHRODIS: it aims to use and implement the results from CHRODIS – for example on health promotion.

This reflects my words of encouragement at the CHRODIS conference last February; and I am pleased that so many concrete activities at local and regional levels are planned by the countries participating in this new action.

This will make a real difference to the lives not only of patients but also of healthy citizens.

This focus fits very well with our work at EU level. I have set up a dedicated Steering Group on Health Promotion and Prevention and Management of Non-Communicable Diseases composed of Member States’ representatives.

This group will advise on how to implement best practices and also select best practices for future implementation in the Member States.

My aim is to help Member States take inspiration from successful practices developed in other Member states and pilot such practices at home.

I believe the time has come to move on from simply “exchanging best practices” towards “transferring and upscaling best practices”.

Our aim is to turn words into actions and concrete improvements on the ground.

CHRODIS PLUS will lead the way and I look forward to hearing of your experiences.

For example, I would like to see how Andalusia in Spain will take on board good practices from Lombardy in Italy to promote healthy eating, physical activity, smoking cessation and reduction of alcohol consumption.

I am also interested on how Lithuania is taking up the “Active School Flag” action from Ireland to promote physical activity in schools.

I would also like to hear from Iceland, on how it adapts at home the Dutch “JOGG” programme addressing child and youth obesity.

And because healthy lifestyles start at birth, I am keen to learn about Malta’s implementation of the Greek “ToyBox” project for healthy snacking and physical activity in kindergartens.

Finally, I am also curious to see how the care model for multi-morbid persons developed in CHRODIS will work in practice.

Your pilot experiences in Italy, Spain and Lithuania will provide us with guidance for a wider roll-out.

Let me take this opportunity to warmly thank the Spanish Institute of Health, “Carlos the 3^rd“, for coordinating CHRODIS PLUS.

I also thank the Lithuanian Ministry of Health and the Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos for hosting us today.

I am grateful that you have taken on the scientific leadership of CHRODIS PLUS as well as chairing the Governing Board and providing its secretariat. It is important that the newer EU Member States take leading roles in joint actions.

And I very much look forward to hear the results of CHRODIS plus’ policy dialogues at national and EU levels.

These national dialogues can blend well with the voluntary dialogues foreseen as part of the “State of Health in the EU” cycle.

I would encourage you to seek collaboration with the OECD and the European Observatory on Health Policy and Systems in this respect; and to make use of the country profiles we will present in November this year.

I am also pleased that CHRODIS PLUS reaches out beyond the health sector and will address the issue of employment of people suffering from chronic diseases.

This work will contribute to the European Pillar of Social Rights initiative which seeks to pave the way for a more social, more inclusive and fairer European Union, leaving no one behind.

I also very much welcome that you will be piloting in primary care in Spain and Bulgaria a mhealth tool developed in Germany.

As you know, the Commission is keen to develop the potential of eHealth solutions and will present a Communication on transformation of health and care in the Digital Single Market.

A public consultation on digital innovation for better health and care in Europe is ongoing – and I would encourage you all to participate in this consultation which closes on 12 October.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We are just starting a new action – but it is important to plan, right from the beginning, for when the joint action ends.

I am pleased that CHRODIS PLUS plans to deliver a consensus statement on the EU added value of cross-country collaboration to prevent chronic diseases and the sustainability of the results of this joint action.

A good example is the planned incorporation of the collected “best practices” into the best practice portal that the Commission is now developing. This will help provide sustainability to the good work done.

I also encourage the CHRODIS PLUS consortium to ensure the active participation of civil society organizations in addition to those present today.

Civil society makes an important contribution to people’s health and can provide valuable insight from the patients’, health professionals’ or academics’ point of view.

I wish you a fruitful and inspiring kick-off meeting.

I look forward to seeing this Joint Action deliver concrete results for our citizens.

Keep on the good work! Thank you.

I would like to thank the Estonian Presidency for these two productive days in Tallinn.

I welcome the Estonian Presidency’s initiative to launch a debate in the EU on how to modernise the tax rules to take into account new business models and the digitalisation of the global economy.

Everyone agrees that this issue raises major political and economic questions and that we need to act. It’s a question about our tax revenues. It’s a question of fairness and efficiency. It’s also about maintaining the integrity of the Single market.

We need to continue the work at global level, notably at the OECD, to find comprehensive solutions with our partners outside the EU.

At EU level, the CCCTB can also help to provide a long-term solution to the issue of taxing digital giants, as it would also address issues such as virtual permanent establishment.

But there are also strong arguments for more immediate action. The Commission will be setting out its thinking on the way forward in a Communication before the digital summit on 29 September.

We will work to arrive at a common EU position by December so that we can speak with the same voice within the OECD.

In parallel, we will start working on a proposal at EU-level on fair taxation of the digitalised economy, in line with President Juncker’s announcement in his State of the Union address. 

In preparing our proposal, we will of course take account of the different ideas raised by Member States, including for a so-called quick fix solution such as an equalisation tax. We will also be mindful of international discussions on this issue. We aim to be ready with the Commission’s proposal by next Spring.

On customs, we welcome the fact the Presidency put this on the agenda. We remain convinced that the best way forward is to gradually centralise our IT systems to make customs more efficient and cost-effective.

There was strong support for a pilot project to pave the way and ministers agreed to return to this issue in November.

Thank you.