Daily News 23 / 07 / 2024

Daily News 23 / 07 / 2024

Commission adopts assessment report and proposes visa measures to foster readmission cooperation

Today, the Commission adopts its fifth assessment report to the Council on third countries' level of readmission cooperation under Article 25a of the Visa Code. Together with the report, the Commission is presenting a proposal for visa measures with Somalia to foster readmission cooperation. The Commission will transmit its report and proposal to the Council, where Member States will decide on the next steps. In parallel, the Commission will continue to intensify engagement with Somalia to improve this cooperation.

Visa measures were previously proposed under Article 25a by the Commission in relation to Ethiopia, The Gambia, Senegal, Bangladesh and Iraq. The Council adopted the proposal on Ethiopia in April 2024. Regarding The Gambia, an increase in the visa fee was proposed in 2022 due to insufficient cooperation. In view of the progress achieved on return flights and operations by The Gambia, and based on the Commission proposal of September 2023, the increased visa fee was revoked in April 2024. The first set of measures, previously adopted in 2021, remains in place for The Gambia. The proposals for Bangladesh, Iraq, and Senegal remain with the Council, with the objective of further increasing readmission cooperation.

Under the revised Visa Code, the Commission annually assesses readmission cooperation with non-EU countries, reports to the Council and actively engages in dialogue to improve readmission cooperation with partners. Eventual Commission proposals to the Council on visa measures consider the Union's overall relations with the countries concerned. The Commission and the EEAS will continue their active engagement with these partners to improve cooperation on readmission.

(For more information: Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 2 29 62253, Fiorella Boigner – Tel.: +32 2 29 93734)

La Commission engage un dialogue avec l'Arménie sur la libéralisation du régime des visas

Suite au Conseil des affaires étrangères, la Commission lance un dialogue avec l'Arménie sur la libéralisation du régime des visas. Ce processus aidera l'Arménie dans son objectif à long terme de parvenir à un régime d'exemption de visa avec l'UE.

Ce dialogue conduira à des réformes dans des domaines importants, notamment la sécurité des documents de voyage, la gestion des frontières, la migration et l'asile, l'ordre public, les relations extérieures et les questions relatives aux droits fondamentaux en Arménie. La Commission suivra rigoureusement les progrès accomplis dans ces domaines, en étroite collaboration avec le Parlement européen et le Conseil. Le dialogue sera mené dans le cadre d'un plan d'action pour la libéralisation du régime des visas qui sera présenté aux autorités arméniennes à la suite des discussions au sein du Conseil. La libéralisation du régime des visas n'est pas un processus automatique. Elle ne sera prise en considération qu'une fois que le dialogue aura été mené à bien et que toutes les conditions énumérées dans le plan d'action seront remplies. Une fois le dialogue mené à bien, il sera plus facile et moins coûteux pour les citoyens arméniens de se rendre en Europe pour des séjours de courte durée (moins de 90 jours sur toute période de 180 jours). Les citoyens arméniens bénéficient déjà des avantages d'un accord visant à faciliter la délivrance de visas avec l'UE depuis le 1 janvier 2014.

Le lancement du dialogue sur la libéralisation du régime des visas fait suite à plusieurs initiatives visant à renforcer la coopération avec l'Arménie dans le cadre du partenariat oriental de l'UE, y compris le sommet du partenariat oriental de 2021, qui a envisagé la possibilité de lancer de nouveaux dialogues sur la libéralisation du régime des visas, une fois que les conditions seront réunies. Le partenariat oriental a été créé en 2009 afin de renforcer les relations avec les pays voisins. L'UE et l'Arménie font avancer un nouveau programme de partenariat ambitieux, à la suite de la réunion du 5 avril 2024 entre la présidente von der Leyen, le haut représentant Josep Borrell et le Premier ministre Pachinyan.

(Pour plus d'informations : Christian Wigand — Tél. : + 32 229-62253; Elettra Di Massa — Tél. : + 32 2 298 21 61)

La Commission et la Bosnie-Herzégovine signent un accord d'association au programme EU4Health

La Commission et le Conseil des ministres de Bosnie-et-Herzégovine ont signé aujourd'hui un accord associant la Bosnie-et-Herzégovine au programme EU4Health. Cet accord améliorera la capacité du système de santé du pays à répondre aux besoins immédiats des citoyens en matière de santé, et contribuera à renforcer sa résilience.

Avec l'entrée en vigueur de l'accord, les autorités sanitaires et l'ensemble de la communauté sanitaire de Bosnie-et-Herzégovine peuvent bénéficier pleinement des possibilités de financement de l'UE dans le cadre du programme EU4Health, sur un pied d'égalité avec les États membres de l'UE, la Norvège, l'Islande, l'Ukraine, la Moldavie et le Monténégro. Avec effet rétroactif au 1er janvier 2024, les entités publiques et privées du secteur de la santé en Bosnie-et-Herzégovine pourront accéder à des financements ciblant des domaines critiques, tels que l'amélioration du diagnostic, du traitement et de la prise en charge du cancer, l'élaboration de stratégies de stockage des médicaments, le renforcement des services de santé mentale, la numérisation des soins de santé et la mise en œuvre d'initiatives pour faire face aux menaces transfrontalières concernant la santé.

Stella Kyriakides, commissaire à la santé et à la sécurité alimentaire, a déclaré : « Je me félicite vivement de l'accord conclu aujourd'hui, accord par lequel le soutien de l'UE au titre du programme EU4Health permettra à la Bosnie-et-Herzégovine de renforcer son secteur des soins de santé. Cet accord témoigne de l'engagement de l'UE en faveur d'une coopération forte et équitable en vue d'atteindre notre objectif commun d'améliorer la santé des citoyens dans l'Union et au-delà, dans le cadre d'une Union européenne de la santé forte ».

De plus amples détails sont disponibles ici.

(Pour plus d'informations: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel. : + 32 2 295 31 56; Anna Gray – Tel. : +32 2 298 08 73)

Commission opens investigation into possible anticompetitive agreements in the online food delivery sector

The European Commission has opened a formal antitrust investigation to assess whether Delivery Hero and Glovo have breached EU competition rules by participating in a cartel in the sector of online ordering and delivery of food, grocery and other daily consumer goods in the European Economic Area (‘EEA').

Delivery Hero and Glovo are two of the largest food delivery companies in Europe. From July 2018, Delivery Hero held a minority share in Glovo, and in July 2022 it acquired its sole control.

The Commission is concerned that, before the takeover, Delivery Hero and Glovo may have allocated geographic markets and shared commercially sensitive information (e.g., on commercial strategies, prices, capacity, costs, product characteristics). The Commission is also concerned that the companies may have agreed not to poach each other's employees. These practices could have been facilitated by Delivery Hero's minority share in Glovo.

If proven, the companies' behaviour may breach EU competition rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices(Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU') and Article 53 of the EEA Agreement). The Commission will now carry out its in-depth investigation as a matter of priority. The opening of a formal investigation does not prejudge its outcome.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “Online food delivery is a fast-growing sector, where we must protect competition. This is why we are investigating whether Delivery Hero and Glovo agreed to share markets and not to poach each other's employees. If confirmed, such conduct may amount to a breach of EU competition rules, with potential negative effects on prices and choice for consumers and on opportunities for workers.”

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission opens in-depth State aid investigation into Belgian support for lifetime extension of two nuclear reactors

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether public support that Belgium plans to grant for the lifetime extension of two nuclear reactors (Doel 4 and Tihange 3) is in line with EU State aid rules.

Belgium notified the Commission of its plan to extend the lifetime of the Doel 4 and Tihange 3 nuclear reactors for ten years, with an aggregate capacity of 2 GW. The measure aims at preserving the security of electricity supply in Belgium and neighbouring countries, while keeping the carbon intensity of the Belgian electricity mix as low as possible.

Under the notified measure, Belgium plans to support the extension of the lifetime of the two nuclear reactors through a partnership with Engie S.A. While the Belgian measure appears justified, at this stage, the Commission has doubts as to its compatibility with EU State aid rules and has therefore decided to open an in-depth investigation. The opening of the in-depth investigation gives Belgium and interested third parties an opportunity to submit comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission approves amendment to German State aid scheme to support deployment of Gigabit networks

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, amendments to a State aid scheme to support the deployment of very high capacity broadband networks offering Gigabit speeds in Germany.

The scheme was originally approved in November 2020 and was set to expire on 31 December 2025. Following the amendment, the scheme will be prolonged until 31 December 2028, and the budget will be increased by €26 billion. In addition, various changes are introduced to the scheme to bring it in line with the 2023 Broadband Guidelines.

Germany notified the Commission of its intention to amend and prolong the existing scheme, with the aim to deploy fixed broadband networks providing to end users symmetric (the same for download and upload) speeds of at least 1 Gbps (gigabit per second).

Under the amended scheme, aid can be granted for areas where the following conditions are cumulatively met: (i) there is only one network present, providing speeds above 100 Mbps (megabits per second) download but only up to 300 Mbps download and 150 Mbps upload, (ii) the existing network cannot be upgraded through marginal investment to provide speeds of at least 1 Gbps download and 150 Mbps upload, (iii) within the same time horizon, there is no planned investment into a network providing speeds of at least 1 Gbps download and 150 Mbps upload.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “The revised scheme will bring about a material improvement in the availability of Gigabit broadband networks in underserved areas in Germany. Gigabit networks will at least triple the download and upload speeds of the existing networks. The measure will benefit citizens, businesses, and the public sector, and boost inclusion in the areas concerned, as well as improve social and territorial cohesion in Germany, while ensuring that competition is not unduly distorted.”

A press release is available online.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission approves Danish compensation to Post Danmark for its universal service obligation

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, Denmark's compensation to postal operator Post Danmark for its universal postal service obligation during the period 2021-2023.

Under the measure, Post Danmark will receive a compensation for a maximum of around €63 million (DKK 467 million) for discharging its universal postal service obligation for the period 1 January 2021 – 31 December 2023. This includes the provision of basic postal services throughout Denmark at affordable prices and at certain minimum quality requirements.

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(1) and Article 106(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, as well as the rules on public service compensation, under the Service of General Economic Interest (‘SGEI') Framework and the Postal Services Directive. The Commission concluded that the compensation complies with the provisions of the SGEI Framework. More specifically, the Commission found that the measure constitutes a genuine SGEI and meets the entrustment criteria of the SGEI Framework. In addition, the Commission found that the measure's duration is justified for the delivery of the SGEI, and it complies with the requirements on transparency, and separation of accounts. Finally, the compensation granted does not exceed the net cost of discharging the SGEI, ensuring that Post Danmark will not be overcompensated.

On this basis, the Commission approved the Danish measure under EU State aid rules.

The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under case number SA.111272 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission approves amendment to 2022-2027 regional State aid map for Finland

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, an amendment to Finland's map for granting regional aid until 31 December 2027, within the framework of the Regional aid Guidelines.

On 2 June 2022, the Commission approved the 2022-2027 regional aid map for Finland. On 30 May 2023, the Commission adopted a Communication regarding a possible mid-term review of the regional aid maps, taking into account updated statistics.

In this context, the amendment to Finland's regional aid map approved today includes some adjustments to the existing areas eligible for regional aid under Article 107(3)(c) Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (so-called ‘c' areas), as proposed by Finland on the basis of the regional aid guidelines. To address regional disparities, following today's amendment, one already designated non-predefined ‘c' area will include parts of the region of Kymenlaakso. The maximum aid amount for large companies in the area affected by the amendment is 20% of the eligible investment costs.

The non-confidential version of today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.114318 in the State Aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission clears acquisition of RedSail by LGP and Francisco Partners

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Kona Topco, L.P. and its subsidiaries, including RedSail Technologies LLC (‘RedSail') by Leonard Green & Partners, L.P. (‘LGP') and Francisco Partners Management L.P. (‘Francisco Partners'), all of the US.

The transaction relates primarily to the sector of business management software and services for pharmacies.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the limited impact on the European Economic Area and that the companies are not active in the same or vertically related markets. The notified 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.11619.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

La Commission autorise l'acquisition de Alter Domus par Cinven

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l'acquisition du contrôle exclusif de Alter Domus Global S.à.r.l. (« Alter Domus »), basée au Luxembourg, par Cinven VIII (« Cinven »), basée à Guernsey.

La transaction concerne principalement le secteur de l'administration de fonds d'investissement.

La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de la position de marché limitée résultant de la transaction proposée. La transaction notifiée a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure simplifiée du contrôle des concentrations.

De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.11531.

(Pour plus d'informations: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission clears acquisition of Winthrop Technologies by Blackstone

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Winthrop Technologies Holdings Limited (‘Winthrop Technologies') of Ireland by Blackstone Inc. of the US.

The transaction relates primarily to the construction of datacenters.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited market positions resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified 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.11548.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Commission clears acquisition of Vilma Med Oil by Trafigura and Vilma Oil

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Vilma Med Oil of Spain by Trafigura of Singapore and Vilma Oil of Spain.

The transaction relates primarily to the fuel bunkering services sector.

The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given the companies' limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The notified 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.11551.

(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Nina Ferreira - Tel.: +32 2 299 81 63)

Tentative agendas for forthcoming Commission meetings

Note that these items can be subject to changes.

Upcoming events of the European Commission

Eurostat press releases