Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the European Commission on 25 October 2022.

The Commission adopted a recommendation to the Council to authorise the opening of negotiations of upgraded European Border and Coast Guard Agency’s (Frontex) status agreements between the EU and Albania, Serbia, Montenegro, as well as with Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Commission is also adopting today a new assistance package worth €39.2 million under the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA III) to strengthen border management in the Western Balkans.

Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, said: “We are committed to supporting our partners in the Western Balkans and strengthening our cooperation on migration management on the ground. Therefore, we propose to negotiate status agreements under the new legal framework that would allow for the deployment of Frontex to all four partner countries with the full power of its mandate, to ensure that their borders continue to be respected and protected in line with European best practices.”

Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, said: “This package is timely, as migration remains an area where we need to work even more closely with our Western Balkan partners. Given the increased migratory pressure in the region, we are focusing on strengthening border protection, fighting the smuggling networks and stepping up returns from region. To this end, we will provide increased political and financial help. Between 2021 and 2024, we intend to increase our funding by 60% in total, to at least €350 million for our Western Balkan partners. This will support the Western Balkans in all areas of developing effective migration management systems, including asylum and reception, border security and returns. We count on the commitment our Western Balkan partners to make these actions a success.”

With today’s proposal, the Commission with the support of Frontex will strengthen the capacity of the Western Balkans’ partners in their migration management, fight against smuggling and ensuring security. Under the currently existing status agreements between Frontex and Albania, Serbia and Montenegro, deployment of the standing corps may only take place at the countries’ borders with the EU and without exercising executive powers. Under the new legal framework, the status agreement will allow Frontex standing corps to be deployed in the third country both at the EU border and at the borders with the third countries and exercise the executive powers. Therefore, new status agreements will better support and strengthen cooperation on border management in the Western Balkans.

The assistance package adopted today follows a detailed assessment of needs established with the Western Balkan authorities. The support targets the region’s border management capacities mainly through the provision of specialised equipment. It includes mobile surveillance systems, unmanned aerial vehicles, biometric devices, training and support to establish and operationalise National Coordination Centres. The support also covers the operationalisation of migration facilities, including reception and detention facilities. This package brings the total bilateral and regional support adopted in this area under IPA III to €171.7 million.

The press release issued by the European Commission on 25 October 2022.

Today, the European Commission has published the 2022 Eurobarometer surveys dedicated to EU competition policy. The surveys show strong support among citizens and Small and Medium Enterprises (‘SMEs’) for both competition policy and its enforcement.

Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “The results from the survey are clear: competition improves the daily life of citizens and SMEs, bringing better prices, more choice and increased innovation. This support is consistent across the EU, and it is a reminder that fair competition is as important as ever.”

Main findings 

The Eurobarometer surveys published today show that Europeans support the main goals of competition policy, recognising its important contribution to the European economy. In particular, respondents confirmed that in their view competition policy:

• encourages innovation (82% of citizens and 89% of SMEs);
• allows for better prices (74% of citizens and 81% of SMEs) and more choice (83% of citizens and 84% of SMEs);
• helps EU companies become more competitive on global markets (72% of citizens and 73% of SMEs).

The vast majority of citizens and SMEs participating to the survey strongly support different measures to improve competition even further. They believe that competition has a key role to prevent players across market sectors from abusing their market power (87% of citizens and SMEs) and to fight cartels (84% of citizens and SMEs). 76% of citizen’s and 73% of SMEs believe it is important to prevent mergers and acquisitions that reduce competition. Finally, Europeans think it is important to take advantages away from competitors subsidised by non-EU governments (70% of citizens and 74% of SMEs) and by EU governments (69% of citizens and 73% of SMEs).

A majority of respondents recognise competition policy and its enforcement as a key tool in facing the challenges ahead. As an example, 66 per cent of SMEs agree that regulation, such as the Digital Markets Act, can be an effective solution in markets with systemic issues. For what concerns the achievement of the Commission’s policy priorities, a majority of citizens believe that competition encourages the digital transformation of the economy and society (73%), as well as the offer of more environmentally friendly goods and services in the EU Single Market (54%).

For what concerns citizens, more than 50 per cent (54%) have experienced issues caused by a lack of competition, such as higher prices, less choice or lower quality. When asked about the areas in which they believe competition enforcement should play an even stronger role, citizens expressed their concerns for the lack of competition in the energy sector (27%), followed by food retailing (20%). In the last Eurobarometer survey, published in 2019, telecommunications and Internet access were at the top of citizens’ concerns (26%), while today only 18% of respondents have identified this as an area in which competition should be improved.

When asked about the competition-related difficulties experienced, SMEs mentioned high prices (57%), as well as powerful suppliers and buyers being able to impose unfair conditions (experienced by respectively 57% and 42% of respondents). For what concerns specific sectors, SMEs expressed their view that stronger competition in the provision of raw materials (12%) would be of the essence, as well as in the provision of energy (8%) and in the use of digital platforms to reach customers (8%).

European citizens and SMEs stay on top of the news concerning competition enforcement mostly through newspapers (including online) (52% of citizens and 51% of SMEs) and TV (48% of citizens and 41% of SMEs). However, social media has proven to be an increasingly relevant source of information for citizens on competition (rising from 24% in 2019 to 39% in 2022), as well as for SMEs (37% in 2022).

The press release issued by the European Commission on 24 October 2022.

Today, the Council has adopted the final building blocks of the European Health Union: the Regulation on Serious cross-border health threats, the Regulation on the extended mandate of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and the Emergency Framework Regulation to provide extra powers to the European Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA). These new rules complete the European Health Union, building a powerful legal framework to improve the EU’s capacity in the vital areas of prevention, preparedness, surveillance, risk assessment, early warning, and response.

Welcoming the adoption, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, said: “Today’s adoption by the Council of the three Regulations is a major achievement, and strengthens the EU Health Security Framework. With these new regulations, we have shown that we can move forward together, decisively, and fast. This legislation will work hand in hand with the financial support provided through the EU4Health Programme and the Recovery and Resilience Facility to ensure more resilient health systems across the EU. Collaboration and solidarity are key for the challenges ahead of us.”

Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Stella Kyriakides, said: “The central pillars of our European Health Union are now in place. The pandemic has shown the need for more Europe in public health, and a stronger capacity to protect citizens from health threats. With a stronger ECDC, an empowered HERA and a reinforced role for the EU in preventing, preparing for, and managing cross-border health threats, we now have additional tools to quickly react and respond to emerging health crises, decisively and with unity”.

With the adoption of the Serious cross-border threats to health Regulation, the EU will have:

• a robust preparedness planning and a more integrated surveillance system;
• a better capacity for accurate risk assessment and targeted response;
• solid mechanisms for joint procurement of medical countermeasures;
• the possibility to adopt common measures at EU level to address future cross-border health threats.

A stronger ECDC will not only issue recommendations to Member States regarding health threats preparedness, but also host a new excellence network of EU reference laboratories and establish an EU Health Task Force for rapid health interventions in the event of a major outbreak.

To be effective and operational in times of public health emergencies, the Emergency Framework Regulation will allow the establishment within HERA of a Health Crisis Board. This Board will rapidly coordinate at EU level the supply of and access to medical countermeasures. The Regulation also enables the activation of the EU fab facilities, emergency research and innovation plans and access to emergency funding.

Next steps

Following today’s adoption of the three Regulations, they will be published in the Official Journal and will enter into force in November 2022.

The press release issued by the European Commission on 24 October 2022.

omorrow, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chancellor Olaf Scholz, in his given capacity as German Presidency of the G7, will co-host the International Expert Conference on the Recovery, Reconstruction and Modernisation of Ukraine in Berlin. This conference is another important step in the series of global events, which demonstrate unwavering support from the Commission and the international community to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war of aggression. It also highlights that the Commission and the international community will continue to support Ukraine beyond its immediate needs, and on its path to EU accession.

Given the scale of the challenge at stake, the recovery efforts need to be an inclusive multi-stakeholder process, involving both public and private sectors, as well as international organizations. That is why the conference will bring together world-renowned experts across various disciplines and backgrounds, international organisations, senior government representatives, think tanks and academics, as well as representatives from civil society and the private sector, together with the Ukrainian government. The participants will discuss key matters for the recovery, reconstruction and modernisation of Ukraine. These discussions will contribute to shaping global efforts on the way ahead for Ukraine’s green, resilient, prosperous and democratic future.

President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The courageous Ukrainian men and women of Ukraine are fighting for their independence and the rules-based international order.  We will be at Ukraine´s side as long as it takes. The road to reconstruction is at the same time Ukraine’s path towards its vision to become a more modern, democratic and prosperous country. Every euro, every dollar every pound and every yen spent will be an investment in Ukraine and democratic values around the globe. At the same time the broad support for the brave people of Ukraine is a strong statement that the free and democratic nations of this world stand together.”

Following the opening remarks from President von der Leyen and Chancellor Scholz, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy will deliver a keynote address. During the opening plenary, participants will hear from Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and other high-level speakers about the international perspectives on Ukraine’s geopolitical and economic outlook and the scale of the recovery and reconstruction needs.

The morning sessions will cover a range of topics beginning with lessons learned from historical reconstruction efforts like the Marshall Plan in Europe and taking stock of the current situation in Ukraine and the sequencing of recovery and reconstruction needs. Discussions will then focus on the financing of recovery and reconstruction, exploring possible frameworks for governance and emphasising strong Ukrainian ownership in the process of mobilising resources and private sector involvement.

The afternoon sessions will be devoted to key priorities for Ukraine’s sustainable growth, development, and stability, including with a view to EU accession. These sessions will focus on institutional transformation and good governance, macroeconomic and financial stability, industrial policy and sustainable development, and inclusiveness.

The event will be live-streamed and will be available here. The press conference will take place at +/- 10:30 CEST and can be followed on EbS.

Next Steps

Targeted expert recommendations will be published on the website of the International Expert Conference as an outcome document. These recommendations will feed into bilateral, European, and multilateral discussions with Ukrainian counterparts, as support shapes up. These fora include the annual Ukraine Recovery/Reform Conference, to be hosted by the UK mid-next year.

The press release issued by the European Commission on 24 October 2022.

Europeans are worried about the effect of air pollution on health and the environment, according to a special Eurobarometer survey published today. Most also think that industry, public authorities and employers need to do more to improve air quality. Respondents clearly favour an international or European approach to improving air quality and a large majority of the respondents who have heard of EU air quality standards say that they should be strengthened.

Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said: “People tell us that they want clean air to breathe. People living in cities, asthma sufferers and those living near industrial plants, they are all worried and they are asking us to act. The Commission will lead the way with an ambitious proposal to strengthen EU air quality standards.”

Key findings of the survey

Concern about health and environmental impact of air pollution

Most Europeans think that health conditions such as respiratory diseases (89%), asthma (88%), and cardiovascular diseases are serious problems in their countries resulting from air pollution. Europeans are also worried about the environmental problems caused in water bodies by air pollution such as acidification and eutrophication (both 83%). Acidification (water becoming more acidic) and eutrophication (excessive amount of nutrients in water leading to overgrowth of algae suffocating other organisms) are among the main consequences of worsening water quality.

Perception that air quality has worsened

Nearly half of the respondents hold the view that that air quality has deteriorated in the last ten years (47%). This percentage is however an 11-point drop since 2019.

Support for strengthening EU air quality standards

The Eurobarometer reveals that citizens lack information about air quality problems in their country. Most of Europeans remain poorly informed about the existing EU air quality standards as only a minority of respondents (27%) have heard of them. Nevertheless, a large majority of the respondents (67%) who are aware of EU air quality standards say that they should be strengthened. This is true in all but five Member States.

Support for more action to promote air quality, especially at international level

A large majority of Europeans think air pollution should be addressed at the international level (65%) followed by the European and the national level (both 42%), and finally the regional or local level (32%). A significant proportion of the respondents also believe that actions should be carried out at all levels simultaneously (19%).

Individual action to reduce harmful emissions

A majority of Europeans think that large industrial installations, fossil-fuel based energy producers, public authorities, and employers are not doing enough to promote good air quality.

A majority also thinks that the household sector is doing enough. Respondents are more likely to have taken some action to reduce emissions themselves this year than in 2019. Using public transport, cycling, or walking is the most frequent method Europeans report they use to reduce harmful emissions into the air.

As announced in the European Green Deal as part of the zero pollution ambition for a toxic-free environment, the Commission is about to propose a revision of the current EU air quality standards. This will align them more closely with the most recent World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, and will strengthen provisions to help local authorities achieve cleaner air. The revised proposal will also focus on better implementation in order to help reach those standards in practice.