High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini who represented the EU at today’s conference in London said: “Somalia’s future matters to Europe and our support matters to Somalia. The €200 million we have announced today strengthens the EU’s leading role in supporting the country’s development, stability and security. We already play a major role for peace in the country through the three active missions in the country as well as our support to the African Union peacekeeping mission AMISOM. We believe that the people of Somalia can and should shape the future of their country. We want Somalia to rise again – and today we demonstrate it in very practical terms.”

The development funding announced today will be channelled through the European Union Trust Fund for Africa, which aims to address the root causes of destabilization, forced displacement and irregular migration.

Neven Mimica, Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development, added: “Today’s support package of €200 million is new and additional to what we already do in Somalia. It will focus on building effective and sustainable responses to security challenges, on creating economic opportunities and on building state legitimacy and democratic governance. We are also concerned by the severe drought in Somalia and the humanitarian challenges this brings. Together with EU Member States, we have already allocated than €460 million humanitarian and development assistance for that purpose. We call on other partners to stand up to the level of the challenge as well.”

The EU’s support will help to accelerate Somalia’s economic recovery. This will be done by supporting the reforms needed to ensure Somalia full re-engagement with the International Financial Institutions, access to multilateral finance and debt relief. This will also help laying the foundations for more inclusive, stable politics including a roadmap to a more inclusive electoral process in 2020.

The EU is a long standing partner to Somalia in development aid, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid. For the period 2015-2020, the EU and its Member States cooperation including development, humanitarian aid and peacekeeping operations amounts to €3.4 billion.

Background:

The Somalia Conference took place today in London, co-chaired by the Federal Government of Somalia, the United Nations and the United Kingdom. The Conference aims to agree a Security Pact which sets the foundations for Somalia long-term security and on a New Partnership for Somalia between the International Community and Somalia based on principles of mutual accountability. The Conference is also the opportunity to take stock of the response to the humanitarian crisis affecting Somalia.

Today’s support package comes on top of the €286 million, which the European Commission has allocated under the 11th European Development Fund (for the period 2014-2020), which focusses on strengthening state functions, improving food security and resilience as well as education for young people.   EU financing is implemented mostly through grants implemented by UN agencies and international NGOs, or contributions to Trust Funds.

For more information:

Factsheet: EU support for Somalia

Discours du Président Juncker au Sénat et au Parlement roumain réunis en Congrès

A l’occasion de sa visite en Roumanie, le Président Juncker s’est adressé aux sénateurs et parlementaires roumains réunis en Congrès. Il a rappelé à cette occasion le chemin parcouru par la Roumanie depuis son adhésion à l’Union européenne en 2007 soulignant qu’il fallait aussi “se souvenir que ce chemin fut difficile et exigeant“. Et il a rendu “un hommage solennel au courage et à la volonté du peuple roumain et de ses dirigeants politiques qui tenaient une boussole européenne entre leurs mains“. Evoquant les réformes qui doivent être encore faites, le Président Juncker a rappelé qu’il s’est engagé “à supprimer le Mécanisme de coopération et de vérification d’ici la fin du mandat de ma Commission” ajoutant “avec vous, je ferai tout pour honorer l’engagement qui fut celui de ma Commission. Et je voudrais souligner, dans l’appellation de ce mécanisme, l’importance du mot coopération. Coopération veut dire collaborer à une action commune visant la même fin.” Il a par ailleurs souligné que “la place naturelle et méritée de la Roumanie est au sein de l’espace Schengen.” Par ailleurs le Président Juncker a déclaré que pour lui en Europe, “il n’y aura jamais de pays de seconde catégorie ou de pays qu’on aurait abandonné en chemin. Je vous le garantis et j’en fais le serment car, lorsqu’elle est unie, l’Europe peut réaliser de grandes choses.” Et il a rappelé que la Roumanie a participé à la plupart des coopérations renforcées, “ce qui n’est pas toujours le cas des Etats membres fondateurs. Aucune de ces coopérations structurées n’a créé de nouvelles lignes de divisions.” Ainsi, a-t-il dit “la Roumanie nous donne une belle leçon d’ambition pour l’avenir“. Le discours est disponible ici. (Pour plus d’informations: Margaritis Schinas – Tel.: +32 229 60524; Mina Andreeva – Tel.: +32 229 91382)

Spring 2017 Economic Forecast: steady growth ahead

The European economy has entered its fifth year of recovery, which is now reaching all EU Member States. This is expected to continue at a largely steady pace this year and next. In its Spring Forecast released today, the European Commission expects euro area GDP growth of 1.7% in 2017 and 1.8% in 2018 (1.6% and 1.8% in the Winter Forecast). GDP growth in the EU as a whole is expected to remain constant at 1.9% in both years (1.8% in both years in the Winter Forecast). Pierre Moscovici, Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, said: “Europe is entering its fifth consecutive year of growth, supported by accommodative monetary policies, robust business and consumer confidence and improving world trade. It is good news too that the high uncertainty that has characterised the past twelve months may be starting to ease. But the euro area recovery in jobs and investment remains uneven. Tackling the causes of this divergence is the key challenge we must address in the months and years to come.” The full press release is available here. The Spring 2017 Economic Forecast is available here. Commissioner Moscovici‘s remarks (including slides) will shortly be available here. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Commission welcomes the adoption of EU technical support programme by EU Ministers

The European Commission welcomes today’s adoption by the EU Council of Ministers to approve the new EUR 142.8 million Structural Reform Support Programme (SRSP). The programme allows the Commission to expand the tailor-made reform support it provides to Member States, at their request, as they carry out reforms that help their economies to grow, strengthen competitiveness, encourage investment and offer job opportunities. The support is managed by the Commission’s Structural Reform Support Service (SRSS). Valdis Dombrovskis, Vice-President for the Euro and Social Dialogue, also in charge of Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union said: “We welcome today’s adoption by EU Ministers of the Structural Reform Support Programme. This new EU programme will allow the Commission to expand the technical support it provides to help Member States carry out essential reforms that can help modernise economies, strengthen competitiveness, encourage investment. This in turn, can generate jobs and raise living standards. From the economic forecast also published today, we see economic growth continuing in the EU, but the picture varies from Member State to Member State. Technical support from the new EU programme can help Member States address challenges that are holding back more effective economic and social progress.” (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Juliana Dahl – Tel.: +32 229 59914)

The European Union steps up its support to Somalia with €200 million at the London Conference

The European Commission has announced new support today worth €200 million at the London Conference on Somalia where partners agreed on a Security Pact for the country. High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini who represented the EU at today’s conference said: “Somalia’s future matters to Europe and our support matters to Somalia. The €200 million we have announced today strengthens the EU’s leading role in supporting the country’s development, stability and security. We already play a major role for peace in the country through the three active missions in the country as well as our support to the African Union peacekeeping mission AMISOM. We believe that the people of Somalia can and should shape the future of their country. We want Somalia to rise again – and today we demonstrate it in very practical terms.” Neven Mimica, Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development, added: “Today’s support package of €200 million is new and additional to what we already do in Somalia. It will focus on building effective and sustainable responses to security challenges, on creating economic opportunities and on building state legitimacy and democratic governance. We are also concerned by the severe drought in Somalia and the humanitarian challenges this brings. (…) The EU is a long standing partner to Somalia in development aid, peacekeeping operations and humanitarian aid. Read the full press release and factsheet. (For more information: Catherine Ray – Tel.: +32 229 69921; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140; Christina Wunder – Tel.: +32 229 92256)

European Commission launches public consultation on the modernisation of EU company law

The European Commission just launched a public consultation on how to improve EU company law. Commissioner Vera Jourová said: “Our Internal Market offers vast opportunities to European companies and thereby is a driver for jobs and growth. But EU company law rules are not up to speed with the digital age and businesses still struggle with uncertainties in many cross-border situations. We need to provide modern and clear rules. And we need a modern approach towards administering them: Companies should be able to use digital tools at every step, from registration to filing, and when communicating with shareholders.”  The consultation will help the Commission assess the best way forward with regards to the scope and the content of a possible future initiative on EU company law. The initiative would aim to make the internal market simpler and fairer by allowing a greater use of digital tools, by providing clearer and legally certain EU procedures for some cross border operations and by ensuring more effective protection through safeguards and improved access to relevant information for all stakeholders concerned, in particular for creditors and employees. It would seek to fight against the abuses of social rights and possibilities of fraud. The current EU company law is not adapted to the digital age yet nor sufficiently supportive of the development of a fully-fledged, seamless Internal Market. It does not allow companies to reap all the benefits of digital technologies nor provide a comprehensive framework for cross-border mobility of companies and clear rules on the jurisdiction that applies to companies in case of cross-border conflicts. The public consultation seeks to collect views from a broad range of stakeholders, as well as from the public on three points: 1) on the use of digital tools and processes throughout a company’s lifecycle, 2) on the cross-border mobility of companies (mergers, divisions, conversions) and 3) on the conflict-of-law rules for companies. The results of the consultation will feed into the company law initiative, announced by the Commission in its 2017 Work Programme. The consultation is available here this afternoon and will be open until the 6 August July 2017. (For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Mélanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 58659)

Implementation of the Marrakesh Treaty: political compromise achieved, better access to books for blind and other disabled people

Negotiators of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission reached yesterday a compromise on draft legislation to implement the Marrakesh Treaty in the European Union. The Commission welcomes the political compromise which will help millions of blind and other print disabled people to get better access to books. The objective of the proposals, made by the Commission as part of the ongoing modernisation of the EU copyright law, is to facilitate access to published works for persons who are blind, have other visual impairments or are otherwise print disabled. The deal will be now subject to the formal approval by the two EU co-legislators. Following the political compromise, Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said: “I am delighted that EU copyright rules will now be adapted to allow visually impaired and people with reading disabilities to access a wider range of reading material in the EU and in third countries that they can use for their education, work and entertainment. I am particularly pleased that our Digital Single Market strategy creates more social inclusion. And I am also confident that this compromise today will pave the way for a rapid ratification of the Marrakesh treaty by the EU.” Further details can be found in the press release. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Inga Höglund – Tel.: +32 229 50698)

Juncker Plan: EUR 177 million for Romanian SMEs

The Juncker Plan has backed a European Investment Fund agreement with Raiffeisen Bank that will unlock EUR 177 million in loans to small and medium-sized Romanian businesses. Around 2,000 Romanian SMEs are expected to benefit from these loans. The European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), the central pillar of the Juncker Plan, was a crucial factor in making this loan agreement possible. Corina Creţu, Commissioner for Regional Policy, said: “The Juncker Plan is working to support jobs and spur growth across Europe. Facilitating access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses is an important component of the Plan. I am delighted that, with today’s agreement, more Romanian businesses will be able to invest in expansion, job-creation and innovation thanks to the Juncker Plan.” As of April 2017, the Juncker Plan is expected to trigger around EUR 743 million in investments In Romania. For the latest figures country-by-country, see here. A full press release is available here. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Enda McNamara – Tel.: +32 229 64976)

Commissioner Navracsics welcomes Tunisia to the Creative Europe programme

Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Tibor Navracsics, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tunisia, Khemaies Jhinaoui, have today signed an Agreement on Tunisia’s participation in Creative Europe, the EU programme for the cultural and creative sectors. The signing ceremony took place in Brussels during the EU-Tunisia Association Council meeting. Commissioner Navracsics said: “I welcome the prospect of strengthening EU-Tunisia relations through culture and direct contacts between people. Tunisia will be the first Southern Neighbourhood country to join Creative Europe and the signature of this Agreement is particularly welcome as one of the concrete deliverables of the EU’s strategy on international cultural relations.” The Agreement will now have to be ratified by the Tunisian Parliament (Assemblée des Représentants du Peuple) before it enters into force, with Tunisia’s participation scheduled to begin on 1 January 2018. Tunisian cultural and audio-visual operators will then be able to participate fully in the Culture sub-programme and partially in the MEDIA sub-programme (i.e. training, film festivals, film education, and market access activities) of Creative Europe. Ahead of the signing ceremony, Commissioner Navracsics had a bilateral meeting with Minister Jhinaoui to discuss current EU-Tunisian relations in the field of culture, education and youth. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Inga Höglund – Tel. +32 229 56184)

La Commission approuve une nouvelle appellation d’origine protégée de Slovaquie

La Commission européenne a approuvé la demande d’inscription du «Stupavské zelé»dans le registre des appellations d’origine protégées (AOP). Le «Stupavské zelé» est une choucroute obtenue grâce à la fermentation lactique de choux blancs crus cultivés dans la commune de Stupava et ses environs, située dans l’ouest du pays à quelques kilomètres au nord de Bratislava. “Zelé” signifie chou dans le dialecte local. A travers l’histoire, les livraisons de choucroute provenant de la région en question ont rapidement dominé les marchés de légumes de Vienne à un point tel que les Viennois en sont venus à appeler Slowakisches Salat la Sauerkraut traditionnelle. Les producteurs locaux se sont d’ailleurs associés au XIXe siècle pour fonder la «Société de fabrique de zelé», lançant ainsi leur production industrielle. La choucroute est devenue un produit apprécié en Europe dans la seconde moitié du XIXe siècle, quand la richesse du chou en vitamine C a commencé à être connue. La méthode de production traditionnelle sans le moindre ajout de conservateurs a été conservée jusqu’à aujourd’hui. Cette nouvelle appellation va rejoindre plus de 1390 produits déjà protégés dont la liste est disponible dans la base de données DOOR. Pour plus d’informations, voir aussi les pages sur la politique de qualité. (Pour plus d’information: Daniel Rosario – Tel: +32 2 29 56185; Clémence Robin – Tel: +32 229 52 509)

State aid: Commission authorises more gradual sale of Slovenia’s Nova Ljubljanska Banka

The European Commission has endorsed a request by the Slovenian State for a more gradual sale of Slovenian bank Nova Ljubljanska Banka (NLB), amending the Commission’s 2013 state aid Decision concerning NLB’s restructuring. As part of the 2013 Commission decision, the Slovenian authorities had committed to sell a certain proportion of the State’s shares in the bank before a specified confidential deadline. Slovenia will sell a first tranche within the original deadline but requested additional time to sell a second tranche. Apart from the timing Slovenia remains fully committed to divest the initially foreseen stake. In this context, Slovenia furthermore proposed an extension of the bank’s acquisition ban. On the basis of the amended commitments, the Commission has concluded that the aid to NLB remains compatible with EU state aid rules. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number SA.33229. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni- Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears creation of joint venture between Linde AG and PJSC Power Machines

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of joint control of Linde Power Machines LLC, a newly-established Russian joint venture company, by Linde AG of Germany and PJSC Power Machines of Russia. Linde Power Machines LLC will be active in engineering, production and distribution of stainless steel heat exchange equipment for natural gas liquefaction units as well as provision of related services and spare parts. Linde AG is an international gas and technology group active in industrial gases, medical gases, equipment, engineering and services sectors. PJSC Power Machines is a manufacturer of power generation equipment and other devices for power plants, in particular turbines and generators. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns, as the joint venture will operate primarily in Russia and the transaction will not change the competitive landscape in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8426. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni- Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of USI Insurance Services by KKR and CDPQ

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of indirect joint control of USI Insurance Services (“USI”) by KKR & Co. L.P. (“KKR”), both of the US, and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (“CDPQ”) of Canada. USI is an insurance brokerage and consulting firm active in property and casualty insurance, employee benefits, personal risk services, retirement, program and specialty solutions in the US. KKR is a global investment firm, which offers asset management services and provides capital markets solutions. CDPQ is an institutional investor active globally, which manages funds primarily for the public and para-public pension and insurance plans. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, as the joint venture does not and will not have any activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8462.  (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni- Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over McDonald’s China Management Limited by Carlyle and CITIC together with McDonald’s

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of McDonald’s China Management Limited by McDonald’s Corporation and The Carlyle Group (‘Carlyle’), both of the USA, jointly with CITIC Capital and CITIC Limited (together “CITIC”) of the People’s Republic of China. McDonald’s China Management Limited includes over 2000 McDonald’s restaurants in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. McDonald’s is active worldwide in the quick service restaurant industry, operating and franchising McDonald’s restaurants in over 36 000 locations in more than 100 countries. Carlyle manages funds that invest globally in corporate private equity, real assets, global market strategies and solutions. CITIC is engaged in both financial and non-financial businesses. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise competition concerns because of its limited impact on the market structure, as the target has no actual or foreseen activities within the territory of the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8384. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni- Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control over Telxius by KKR and current owner Telefónica

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of joint control over Telxius Telecom S.A. of Spain by KKR & Co. L.P. of the US and the current owner Telefónica S.A. also of Spain. Telxius provides infrastructure services through its telecom infrastructure assets, including telecommunication towers and subterranean/submarine fibre-optic cables. KKR is a global investment firm investing in companies in a variety of sectors. One of KKR’s portfolio companies is active in retail telecommunication services in Germany, which are related to Telxius activities in wholesale transmission capacity. Telefónica is a global telecommunications operator and mobile network provider active in mobile, landline, internet and television telecommunication services. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because it does not create horizontal overlaps between the companies’ activities. In addition, the overlaps between KKR and Telxius’ activities on related markets are limited. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competitionwebsite, in the public case register under the case number M.8427. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni- Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of joint control of IPTO by the Hellenic State and Chinese State Grid

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of joint control of the Greek Independent Power Transmission Operator S.A. (“IPTO”) by the Hellenic State and the State Grid International Development Limited (“SGID”) of China. IPTO, currently solely controlled by the Hellenic State, is the Greek electricity transmission system operator. SGID is controlled by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China (“Central SASAC”). It is primarily engaged in the investment and operation of regulated electricity transmission and distribution businesses outside China. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because there are no horizontal overlaps or vertical links between the activities of IPTO and SGID (or other companies controlled by Central SASAC). The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8379. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Maria Tsoni- Tel.: +32 229 90526)

Eurostat: Demandeurs d’asile considérés comme mineurs non accompagnés – 63 300 mineurs non accompagnés parmi les demandeurs d’asile dans l’UE en 2016 – Plus de la moitié sont soit Afghans soit Syriens

En 2016, 63 300 demandeurs d’asile sollicitant une protection internationale dans les États membres de l’Union européenne (UE) étaient considérés comme étant des mineurs non accompagnés, un nombre en baisse d’environ un tiers par rapport à 2015 (avec quelque 96 500 mineurs non accompagnés enregistrés) mais toujours près de cinq fois supérieur à la moyenne annuelle relevée sur la période 2008-2013 (environ 12 000 par an).   En 2016, une forte majorité de ces mineurs non accompagnés étaient des garçons (89%) et plus des deux-tiers étaient âgés de 16 à 17 ans (68%, soit quelque 43 300 personnes), tandis que ceux âgés de 14 à 15 ans représentaient 21% des mineurs non accompagnés (environ 13 500 personnes) et ceux de moins de 14 ans 10% (près de 6 300 personnes). Plus d’un tiers (38%) des demandeurs d’asile considérés comme mineurs non accompagnés dans l’UE en 2016 étaient Afghans et environ un cinquième (19%) Syriens. Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (Pour plus d’informations: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456; Tove Ernst – Tel.: +32 2 298 67 64; Kasia Kolanko – Tel.; +32 296 34 44)

STATEMENTS

Joint-statement by First Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner Jourová on the EU accession to international convention combating violence against women

Following the Council Decision on the signing of the Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention), First Vice-President Timmermans andCommissioner Jourová said in a joint-statement: “Violence against women is violation of human rights and a brutal form of discrimination. One in three women in Europe have experienced violence at least once in her life. The Council’s decision today is a significant step towards the EU becoming – along with its Member States – a full party to the Convention preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. It will allow the EU and its Member States to develop and strengthen the prevention, prosecution and elimination of violence against women and girls and domestic violence.” The Istanbul Convention of the Council of Europe is the most comprehensive international treaty on combatting violence against women and domestic violence. It recognises violence against women as a human rights violation. The Convention addresses violence against women through measures aimed at preventing violence, protecting victims, and prosecuting the perpetrators. The European Commission had proposed in March 2016 the EU accession to this international convention. As a next step, the EU will now proceed with the conclusion of the Convention. Full statement is available online, as well as a factsheet on the Convention and a factsheet on what the EU does to combat violence against women. (For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Mélanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 58659)

European Commission welcomes the Council adoption of visa liberalisation for the citizens of Ukraine

Following the adoption by the Council of the Commission proposal for visa liberalisation for Ukraine, Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos made the following statement: “One year ago, I was in Kiev to personally congratulate the Ukrainian government for the tremendous efforts they have made to implement the reforms set out under the visa liberalisation process. Today, I am pleased to see that we are reaching the end of the process and I welcome the Council’s adoption of visa liberalisation for Ukraine – a final step towards visa-free travel to the Schengen area for Ukrainian citizens. Today’s decision is an acknowledgment of the successful and far-reaching reforms carried out by Ukraine, often in very challenging circumstances. Ukraine has come a long way and today this is recognised and rewarded. Now it is important to sustain this progress. The European Union stands ready to continue providing support and assistance to the Ukrainian authorities in this endeavour. Visa-free travel to the Schengen area will soon become a reality – it is an important and well-deserved moment for Ukraine and its citizens that will make our already close relations even stronger.” The full statement is available here. (For more information: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456 ; Tove Ernst – Tel.: +32 229 86764; Katarzyna Kolanko – Tel.: +32 229 63444)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

First Vice-President Timmermans in Sweden

This morning in Stockholm, First Vice-President Frans Timmermans had a constructive meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, about globalisation, migration, and the EU Social Summit in Gothenburg later this year. This meeting was the start of a programme which concludes this evening with a Citizens’ Dialogue which can be followed live here at 17h00. First Vice-President Timmermans also paid his respects this morning to the victims at the site of the terror attack of 7 April, alongside Minister for Home Affairs Anders Ygeman. At 13h00, the First Vice-President will speak at a seminar on ‘Better Regulation for a more competitive Europe‘. (For more information: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456; Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 229 58602; Katarzyna Kolanko – Tel.: +32 229 63444)

Vice-President Ansip in Greece to discuss digital transformation

Vice-President for the Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip will meet today in Athens several Ministers, Member of the Parliament as well as representatives of Greek enterprises. This morning he discussed Greece’s digital economy and relevance of highly skilled workers to master the digital transformation with the Federation of Hellenic ICT Enterprises (SEPE). During his visit to the Hellenic Parliament where he held a speech in front of the European Affairs Commission, Production and Trade Commission and Public Administration Commission. He presented the review of the Digital Single Market strategy (adopted by the Commission yesterday) and highlighted the importance of the digitisation of the economy, and especially of public services. Vice-President Ansip will meet this afternoon with Greek Minister of Digital Policy, Telecommunications and Media Nikos Pappas and with Minister of Administrative Reform and E-Government Olga Gerovasili. The Vice-President will additionally pay a visit to the Athens office of the European Union Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA) and thereafter hold a keynote speech at the dinner ahead of the international conference “A Digital Strategy for Greece” organised by Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV). The Conference aims at presenting a roadmap for the digital transformation of the Greek economy. More live updates from the visit are available on @Ansip_EU. (For more information: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 67083; Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Inga Höglund – Tel.: +32 229 50698)

Commissioner Moscovici participates in G7 Finance Ministers’ meeting in Bari, Italy
Commissioner Moscovici, responsible for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, will represent the European Commission at the G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting on 11-13 May in Bari, Italy. The agenda includes discussions on growth and inequality, international taxation, the coordination between international financial institutions and security as a ‘global public good’ (including issues related to anti-terrorism financing, remittances and cyber security). “The global economic recovery is firming. In Europe as in the rest of the G7, we now need to find ways to ensure that growth benefits all segments of society. I welcome the decision of the Italian G7 presidency to put growth and equality at the top of the agenda for Bari,” said Commissioner Moscovici in advance of the meeting. The discussions in Bari will pave the way for the G7 Taormina Leaders’ Summit on 26-27 May. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Vanessa Mock – Tel.: +32 229 56194)

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