DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 21 March 2025
Commissioner Kadis launches EU-wide aquaculture campaign
Tomorrow, Commissioner for Fisheries and Oceans Costas Kadis will host an event to launch an EU-wide aquaculture campaign. The campaign will focus on raising awareness, understanding and support for aquaculture, the farming of fish, shellfish and algae, in the EU. Under the rallying title ‘EU aquaculture. We work for you with passion', it will showcase dedication and commitment of aquaculture producers to sustainable aquaculture and to providing high-quality products, following comprehensive EU guidelines to ensure sustainable aquaculture growth. By increasing production within the EU, we can reduce our dependence on imports for food and boost local economies.
Commissioner Kadis will be joined by Maria Panayiotou, Minister of Agriculture, Rural development and Environment, Cyprus; Jacek Czerniak, State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Poland; Paulo Do Nascimento Cabral, Member of the PECH Committee in the European Parliament, Piotr Całbecki, Chair of the NAT Commission, European Committee of the Regions; Piroska Kállay, President of the Permanent Group on Sustainable Food Systems, European Economic and Social Committee, and several aquaculture producers from across the EU.
The event will take place in Brussels and will be live streamed.
More details about the campaign can be found on the campaign website and here.
(For more information: Maciej Berestecki — Tel.: + 32 487 63 24 98; Anna Wartberger — Tel: + 32 2 298 25 04)
CALENDAR
Calendrier du lundi 24 mars 2025 au dimanche 30 mars 2025
Monday 24 March
Mr Costas Kadis receives Mr Armands Krauze, Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Latvia; receives Mr Jakob Jensen, Minister of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries of Denmark; receives Ms Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry, the Sea and Fisheries, of France; receives Mr Timmy Dooley, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland.
Tuesday 25 March
Mr Costas Kadis delivers an opening speech for the official launch of the campaign ‘EU Aquaculture - We work for you with passion'; participates on a dialogue with stakeholders; participates on Euractiv Policy Conference; ‘European Agriculture and Fisheries at the crossroads –Paving the way for a sustainable and competitive future'; receives representatives of the High Seas Alliance; receives representatives of Blue NGOs.
Wednesday 26 March
Mr Costas Kadis in Rome, Italy: delivers a speech, via prerecorded message at the Win-BIG Mediterranean Conference and Learning Lap; receives Ms Romina Pourmokhtari, Minister for Climate and the Environment of Sweden; receives Ms Inger Andersen, executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Thursday 27 March
Mr Costas Kadis in Simrishamn, Sweden: meets with MEPs Sofie Eriksson, Karin Karlsbro, Isabella Lövin, Jessica Polfjärd, Beatrice Timgren, Emma Wiesner; meets with scientists from Stockholm University, Baltic Sea center, coastal fishermen, Swedish anglers association and Swedish Society for Nature Conservation NGOs; visits local fish processing factory, fishermen and fishing vessels, meets with landing control officers and Coast Guard.
Friday 28 March
Mr Costas Kadis in Gotland, Sweden: meets with Mr Peter Kullgren, Minister for Rural Affairs of Sweden; meets with fishermen and owners of small-scale fishing vessels; meets with Ms Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, County Governor of Gotland County; meets with Blue Food - Centre for future seafood and with the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management.
Commission launches consultation on EU approach on market risk rules for banks
The European Commission has launched a consultation to help determine the best approach for the application of the EU's framework on market risk prudential requirements for banks. The Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (or FRTB) introduced by Basel III aims to incorporate more sophisticated risk measurement techniques, allowing for closer alignment between capital charges and the actual risks banks are facing in their activities in capital markets.
Last year, the Commission postponed by one year - until 1 January 2026 - the date of FRTB application in the EU, in order to align implementation with other major global jurisdictions. Except for this specific part, the EU has implemented the Basel III standards since 1 January 2025, demonstrating its commitment to a timely application.
However, recent international developments indicate further possible delays in these jurisdictions, raising concerns on the international level playing field and the impact on EU banks. As outlined in the Savings and Investments Union Communication, the Commission remains vigilant to avoid internationally active EU banks being penalised, as well as preserving their competitiveness vis-à-vis third country banks.
In this context, the Commission is consulting on possible action within its mandate around three potential options: (1) implementing the FRTB as currently laid down in the Banking package, from 1 January 2026; (2) postponing the date of application by a further year (1 January 2027); or (3) introducing temporary and targeted amendments to the market risk framework for up to three years. Combinations of these options or other alternatives could also be envisaged provided they are within the Commission's mandate.
Interested parties can submit their contributions by 22 April 2025. More information is available here.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Marta Perez-Cejuela Romero - Tel.: +32 2 296 37 70)
Commission approves new geographical indication 'Río Negro' from Spain
The European Commission has approved the addition of ‘Rio Negro' wines to the register of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
‘Rio Negro' are white and red wines, produced in the province of Guadalajara, in Spain. They are known for their aromas: the whites offer citrus, floral, tropical, and apple notes, while the reds are marked by red fruit, floral, spicy, and smoky scents. Their naturally high acidity gives them remarkable freshness and good aging potential. These specific qualities are the result of the area's particular geographical environment, including its climate, altitude, and soil composition. The winemaking tradition in the 'Río Negro' area is long-established and reflects the know-how passed down through generations of local producers.
This new denomination will be added to the list of 1,653 wine products already protected. The list of all protected geographical indications can be found in the eAmbrosia database. More information is available online at Quality Schemes (For more information: Maciej Berestecki - Tel.: + 32 487 63 24 98; Thérèse Lerebours - Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)
Commission approves €5 billion German State aid scheme to help industries decarbonise production processes
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €5 billion German scheme to help companies subject to the EU Emission Trading Scheme (‘ETS') decarbonise their production processes. The scheme contributes to the achievement of Germany's energy and climate targets as well as of the EU's sustainable prosperity and competitiveness objectives.
Under the scheme, the aid will take the form of two-way carbon contracts for difference, called ‘Climate Protection Contracts', with a 15-year duration. Beneficiaries will receive annual grants based on their bids and on the evolution of relevant market prices such as ETS allowances or energy inputs, compared to the conventional technology. The measure only covers the actual additional costs linked to the new production processes compared to conventional methods. However, if operating the supported projects becomes cheaper, beneficiaries will have to pay back the difference to the German authorities.
The Commission assessed the scheme under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, and the Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (‘CEEAG'), which allow Member States to support measures reducing or removing CO2 emissions.
Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, in charge of competition policy, said: “The scheme approved today will support ambitious projects that will significantly reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of industrial production processes in Germany. It will contribute to the EU's objective of reaching climate neutrality by 2050, while ensuring that any potential competition distortions are kept to the minimum.”
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Luuk de Klein – Tel.: +32 229 94774)
Commission finds that arbitration award ordering Spain to pay compensation in favour of Antin is illegal and incompatible State aid
The European Commission has concluded that an arbitration award, in which Spain is ordered to pay compensation to Antin for the modification of a renewable electricity support measure, constitutes illegal State aid.
In the decision, the Commission instructs Spain not to pay any compensation based on the arbitration award. The decision also requires Spain to ensure that no payment, execution, or implementation of the arbitration award otherwise takes place.
The Commission has found that the arbitration award violates violates fundamental rules of EU law on the ultimate jurisdiction of the Court of Justice of the European Union (‘CJEU').
The decision recalls the obligation for national judges to assist Spain to ensure compliance with the Commission's decision, including by taking all measures necessary to prevent the recognition, execution, or implementation of the arbitration award in third countries.
The Commission has found that although the arbitration award itself constitutes a grant, no State aid has been effectively paid and there is no need for recovery. Spain must continue to resist attempts to enforce the award, in addition to not voluntarily paying out on the award.
Commission finds recapitalisation of Romania's CEC Bank does not constitute State aid
The European Commission has concluded that Romania's €200 million (RON 1 billion) recapitalisation of the wholly state-owned CEC Bank does not constitute State aid within the meaning of EU State aid rules.
In September 2024, Romania informed the Commission of its intention to recapitalise CEC Bank, with the primary goals of enhancing its lending capacity, developing the CEC Financial Group, and improving operational efficiency by streamlining workflows within the bank. Romania submitted a business plan covering the period 2025-2028, along with a long-term outlook for 2029-2032, and a report on the 'private investor test', all of which were evaluated by the Commission.
The Commission assessed the measure under the EU State aid rules. Following its assessment, the Commission found that Romania's recapitalisation of CEC Bank does not constitute State aid. EU State aid rules specify that if a Member State acts as a private investor would and is compensated for the risk in a manner acceptable to a prudent private investor, the intervention does not constitute State aid. The Commission's assessment of Romania's business plan indicated that the €200 million capital injection would yield returns consistent with market conditions for the Romanian State, CEC Bank's sole shareholder. The business plan forecasts increased market share in lending and deposits, improved efficiency, and robust capital levels.
The non-confidential version of today's decision will be made available under the case number SA.115898 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Commission finds German public support to DB Regio to be compatible with State aid rules
The European Commission has concluded that the compensation granted by the German federal states of Berlin and Brandenburg to Deutsche Bahn Regio AG (‘DB Regio') for the provision of regional rail passenger transport services during the period 2002-2012 is compatible with EU State aid rules.
Following its in-depth investigation, the Commission concluded that the compensation paid under the public service contract did not lead to overcompensation and concluded that it is in line with EU State aid rules. In particular, the Commission assessed the German measure under (i) Regulation 1191/69 for what concerns the compensation paid from 15 December 2002 to 2 December 2009; and (ii) Regulation 1370/2007 for what concerns the compensation paid from 3 December 2009 to 15 December 2012.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be made available under the case number SA.18853 in the State aid register on the Commission's competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved.
Commission clears acquisition of Prosper Link International by Advent and Mubadala
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of Prosper Link International Limited (‘Prosper Link International') of the British Virgin Islands by Advent International (‘Advent') of the US and by Mubadala Investment Company (‘Mubadala') of the United Arab Emirates.
The transaction relates primarily to the sector of manufacturing and sale of lenses and lens care products.
The Commission concluded that the notified transaction would not raise competition concerns, given 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.11916.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
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Athanasios ATHANASIOU
Press Officer / Political Reporter
European Commission
Representation in Cyprus
EU House, 30 Vyronos Avenue, 1096 Nicosia
Tel: +357 22 81 75 76 Mob: +357 99 363753
Twitter: @aathans