DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 13 June 2023
Schengen visa: Political agreement on digitalisation of visa application
The Commission welcomes today's political agreement between the European Parliament and the Council allowing for the digitalisation of the Schengen visa procedure. This is a key deliverable under the Schengen Strategy, presented by the Commission in June 2021. The agreed rules will modernise, simplify, and harmonise the visa procedures for non-EU country nationals applying for a visa and for the Member States who need to grant such visas through digitalisation.
Today, visa procedures for the Schengen area still heavily rely on paperwork, adding costs for both travellers and the Member States. Procedures to apply for a Schengen visa differ from one Member States to another and only very few have partial digitalised procedures. Physical visa stickers are also more prone to falsification, fraud, and theft, something which digital visas will significantly improve.
The Regulation will modernise two main aspects of the visa procedure: the digitalisation of the visa sticker and the digitalisation of the visa application, by setting up an EU online Visa application platform.
In particular, the new Regulation will provide for:
Next steps
The Regulation must now be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.
Background
The New Pact on Migration and Asylum proposed by the Commission in September 2020, includes the ambition to fully digitalise visa procedures, incorporating a digital visa and online lodging of visa applications. Furthermore, the Schengen Strategy presented in June 2021 announced the digitalisation of visa procedures and travel documents as a key proposal to ensure an effective management of the EU's external borders. In this context, the Commission submitted on 27 April 2022 a legislative proposal aimed at digitalising the visa procedure.
For More Information
Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the digitalisation of the visa procedure
Commission website on Visa Policy
Quote(s)
Today’s political agreement is an important achievement, and will help bring Europe’s visa policy into the digital age whilst making it more secure and less vulnerable to fraud or falsification. By modernising and digitising the Schengen visa application process, we can reduce costs, enhance security, and facilitate travel procedures.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life - 13/06/2023
We must prioritise security and efficiency in our visa system. With the implementation of a digital visa sticker and an online application platform, we can guarantee both. The agreed regulation will help us combat fraud, protect against falsification, and simplify the process, benefiting both travelers and the European Union.
Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs - 13/06/2023
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Schengen visa
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Contacts for media
· Anitta HIPPER
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· Andrea MASINI
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· Fiorella BELCIU
+32 2 299 37 34
Fiorella.BELCIU@ec.europa.eu
Global Gateway: EU and Argentina step up cooperation on raw materials
Today, in Buenos Aires, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the President of Argentina, Alberto Fernández, signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a partnership between the EU and Argentina on sustainable raw materials value chains.
In line with the EU's Global Gateway strategy, the agreement aims to ensure the development of a secure and sustainable supply of raw materials necessary for the clean energy and digital transition. It also aims to develop a sustainable raw materials industry, and to support the creation of local added value, quality employment and sustainable and inclusive economic growth, to the mutual benefit of both sides.
President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “I am glad to sign this partnership between the EU and Argentina for the development of sustainable raw materials value chains. This is truly win-win. It is a big step forward for the EU's climate ambitions and it is beneficial to Argentina as a key global player in the clean energy transition. A partnership based on shared commitments to a greener, digital and more resilient future for all.”
The partnership is centred around five areas of collaboration:
The EU and Argentina have committed to develop an operational Roadmap within 6 months of the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding. The Roadmap will include cooperation actions that will be carried out by relevant stakeholders from the EU Member States and Argentina and will be supported by the EU's Global Gateway Investment Agenda for Latin American and the Caribbean strategy.
Critical and strategic raw materials are indispensable for a wide set of strategic sectors including the net-zero industry, the digital industry, aerospace, and defence. As demand for critical raw materials is projected to increase drastically, Europe still heavily relies on imports, often from quasi-monopolistic third country suppliers. The EU needs to mitigate the risks for supply chains related to such strategic dependencies to enhance its economic resilience, while achieving its climate and digital objectives.
The proposal for a Regulation on Critical Raw Materials leverages the strengths and opportunities of the Single Market and the EU's external partnerships to diversify and enhance the resilience of EU critical raw materials supply chains. The Critical Raw Materials Act also improves the EU capacity to monitor and mitigate risks of disruptions and enhances circularity and sustainability.
The Commission has already started working to build strategic partnerships with resource-rich third countries, making use of all external policy instruments and respecting its international obligations. The EU will work with reliable partners to promote their economic development in a sustainable manner through value chain creation, while also promoting secure, resilient, affordable and sufficiently diversified value chains for the EU.
The Commission has already established strategic partnerships on raw materials with Canada (June 2021), Ukraine (July 2021), Kazakhstan and Namibia (November 2022), on behalf of the EU. The partnerships allow both sides to advance trade and investments into secure, sustainable and resilient raw materials value chains, which are key to achieving the transition to climate-neutral and digitalised economies.
Memorandum of Understanding (will be available soon)
I am glad to sign this partnership between the EU and Argentina for the development of sustainable raw materials value chains. This is truly win-win. It is a big step forward for the EU’s climate ambitions and it is beneficial to Argentina as a key global player in the clean energy transition. A partnership based on shared commitments to a greener, digital and more resilient future for all.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission - 13/06/2023
With this Memorandum of Understanding on raw materials between the EU and Argentina, we embark on a mutually beneficial partnership that advances our ambition to secure sustainable supplies and diversify critical resources. This significant step reinforces our commitment to reinforcing robust and resilient economies on both sides of this partnership. I am confident that it will yield great benefits for all parties involved, supporting resource cooperation and fostering growth for our economies.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market - 13/06/2023
This agreement is a testament to the mutually beneficial partnership the EU and Argentina want to build together under Global Gateway. We are enhancing each other’s strategic autonomy on a crucial sector, while supporting progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Critical raw materials are key to drive forward the fair, green and digital transition, and we want to obtain them in a sustainable way that creates local added value and enhances social cohesion. The EU will support the roll out of this important partnership launched today through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Jutta Urpilainen, Commissioner for International Partnerships - 13/06/2023
Global Gateway: EU and Argentina step up cooperation
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· Sonya GOSPODINOVA
+32 2 296 69 53
sonya.gospodinova@ec.europa.eu
· Federica MICCOLI
+32 2 295 83 00
federica.miccoli@ec.europa.eu
Social economy: Commission proposes ways to harness its full potential for jobs, innovation and social inclusion
Today, the Commission recommends concrete measures to support the social economy, which prioritises people, social and environmental causes over profit. There are 2.8 million social economy entities in Europe, which employ in total 13.6 million people to tackle key challenges in our societies. They span a diverse range of sectors, from social and care services to housing, recreation, and affordable energy; and include cooperatives, mutuals, non-profit associations, foundations and social enterprises.
The proposal aims to create favourable conditions for social economy organisations to thrive and grow, and raise awareness of their potential, particularly in creating quality jobs, supporting innovation and social inclusion.
Following up to the 2021 Social Economy Action Plan, the Commission presents today:
Fresh impetus to promote the social economy
Despite their contribution to society, social economy organisations often face obstacles in developing and scaling up their activities due to a lack of understanding and recognition of their business models. To overcome these challenges, the proposed Council Recommendation calls on Member States to develop comprehensive strategies for the social economy to promote an enabling environment for the social economy across all relevant areas, by adapting policy and legal frameworks. In doing so, the aim is to promote quality job creation, boost the local economy, and strengthen social and territorial cohesion.
For instance, the Commission proposes measures to:
In addition, the Commission also recommends that Member States make optimal use of available EU funding, such as the European Social Fund Plus, the European Regional Development Fund, and InvestEU, to assist Member States in promoting the social economy. The Commission can also provide further support by collecting data and conducting research on the social economy within the EU.
One-stop shop for social economy support
As part of today's proposals, the Commission is also launching the social economy gateway, a one-stop-shop website that provides social economy entities with information on EU funding, training opportunities, events, country-specific information, and where to go for additional resources, as a tool for capacity-building.
Member States will discuss the Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation with a view to its adoption by the Council. Once adopted, the proposal invites Member States to adopt or update their social economy strategies within 18 months. Member States are also recommended to create a one-stop shop support for the social economy, set up local and/or regional contact points acting as ‘social economy ambassadors', and appoint social economy coordinators in national institutions to ensure consistency across policies.
The Commission will monitor the implementation of the strategies through regular consultations with Member States via the Employment Committee and the Social Protection Committee.
In December 2021, the Commission presented the Social Economy Action Plan to help the social economy thrive and fully tap its potential. The new proposal for a Council recommendation and the Social Economy Gateway were two actions announced in the Plan. Another action was the EU-OECD Youth Entrepreneurship Policy Academy (YEPA) launched in March this year. It aims to address challenges young entrepreneurs face when setting up their business, such as access to funding and skills, as also confirmed by a recent Eurobarometer survey.
Furthermore, as included in the Commission work programme, the Commission will propose later this year a cross-border initiative on associations to enable them to benefit fully from the single market. In addition, today the Commission publishes two Staff Working Documents to improve the understanding of relevant tax rules for social economy entities and cross-border public-benefit donations.
Social economy organisations play a crucial role in tackling societal challenges and promote fair working conditions by involving employees in decision-making and governance. They also create opportunities for underrepresented groups like women and young people and contribute to making the digital and green transitions fair and inclusive.
The social economy helps achieve the objectives of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and the 2030 EU headline targets endorsed by EU Member States of having at least 78% of the people aged 20 to 64 in employment, at least 60% in training, and lifting at least 15 million people out of poverty or social exclusion. The social economy package also contributes to the European Year of Skills by encouraging opportunities for skills development within the social economy sector.
Proposal for a Council recommendation on developing social economy framework conditions
Staff Working Document: Relevant taxation frameworks for Social Economy Entities
Staff Working Document: Non-discriminatory taxation of charitable organisations and their donors: principles drawn from EU case-law
Factsheet
Social economy gateway website
Social Economy Action Plan website
Questions and answers: Social Economy Action Plan
European Year of Skills
Subscribe to the European Commission's free e-mail newsletter on employment, social affairs and inclusion
Europe’s social economy is a catalyst for positive and inclusive change in our societies. It also has significant untapped economic potential, particularly for facilitating start-ups and scaling up enterprises to boost social innovation. Today’s proposal will help Member States to create favourable conditions for the sector to thrive, raising its visibility and promoting innovation in sectors as diverse as healthcare and recreation. They will provide opportunities for under-represented groups in the labour market such as women and young people. This is how we can build a strong skills-based social economy that can play its part in creating quality jobs as well as reducing poverty and social exclusion.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President for an Economy that Works for People - 13/06/2023
Social economy entities play a crucial role in our economies and societies, in areas ranging from circular economy to social services. The proposal for a Council Recommendation aims to remove obstacles standing in their way and make it easier for social economy actors to start-up, scale-up, and have an even bigger impact in the community.
Nicolas Schmit, Commissioner for Jobs and Social Rights - 13/06/2023
Commission proposals on social economy
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· Veerle NUYTS
+32 2 299 63 02
Veerle.NUYTS@ec.europa.eu
· Flora MATTHAES
+32 2 298 39 51
flora.matthaes@ec.europa.eu
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism starts applying in its transitional phase as of 1 October: Commission consults on reporting obligations
The European Commission published today a first call for feedback on the rules governing the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) during its transitional phase, which starts on 1 October of this year and runs until the end of 2025. The draft Implementing Regulation published today details the reporting obligations and information sought from EU importers of CBAM goods, as well as the provisional methodology for calculating embedded emissions released during the production process of CBAM goods.
In the CBAM's transitional phase, traders will only have to report on the emissions embedded in their imports subject to the mechanism without paying any financial adjustment. This will give time for businesses to prepare and will provide the necessary information to fine-tune the definitive methodology by 2026.
The draft Implementing Regulation provides for some flexibility when it comes to the values used to calculate embedded emissions on imports. During the first year of implementation, companies will have the choice of reporting in three ways: (a) full reporting according to the new methodology (EU method); (b) reporting based on equivalent third country national systems; and (c) reporting based on reference values. As of 1 January 2025, only the EU method will be accepted.
This gradual approach will give producers time to adapt in a predictable manner. The Commission is also developing dedicated IT tools to help importers perform and report these calculations, as well as in-depth guidance, training materials and tutorials to support businesses when the transitional mechanism begins. While importers will be asked to collect fourth quarter data as of 1 October 2023, their first report will only have to be submitted by the end of January 2024.
In a fully transparent process, the Commission informally consulted an Expert Group with the full involvement of third countries, stakeholders and industry while preparing the reporting obligations.
The public consultation can be found online and feedback is welcome from business, academia, civil society and the general public until 11 July. Stakeholders are asked to focus their feedback on the specific implementing rules contained in the draft legislation, rather than on the CBAM Regulation itself.
The Implementing Regulation will be formally adopted by the Commission later this summer after a vote in the CBAM Committee, composed of representatives from EU Member States.
As one of the key policies in the EU's ambitious fight against climate change agenda, CBAM is an essential pillar of the Fit for 55 Package and is the EU's landmark tool to fight carbon leakage. Carbon leakage occurs when companies based in the EU move carbon-intensive production abroad to take advantage of lax standards, or when EU products are replaced by more carbon-intensive imports.
As an environmental policy measure, CBAM complements and reinforces the existing carbon pricing mechanism in the EU established in 2005 with the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) Directive, by reflecting its effects on imports. More specifically, CBAM targets energy-intensive companies exporting specific goods to the EU. This green measure does not apply to countries but to companies which it encourages to decarbonise. CBAM represents an opportunity for third country producers to develop climate policies and methodologies, as it is designed to take all decarbonisation efforts into account. Because the same carbon price is being applied to both EU and non-EU producers, the CBAM does not discriminate among products or countries and fully supports third-country producers' path towards decarbonisation.
The purpose of the transitional period is to collect data that will help fine-tune the shape of CBAM in view of its definitive phase from 2026. To this end, the Commission will prepare a report to the European Parliament and to the Council and will, if appropriate, make a proposal to modify the regulation by mid-2025. In any case, a new methodology for the definitive phase will be developed in 2025 in another Implementing Regulation that will also be published for feedback.
The present consultation is the first opportunity to ‘have your say' on the transitional implementation of CBAM. During the transitional period, the Commission will also publish calls for feedback on the 13 other pieces of secondary legislation (implementing and delegated acts) to be put in place before CBAM becomes operational in its definitive phase on 1 January 2026.
More information on CBAM can be found here.
Commission consults on CBAM reporting obligations
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· Daniel FERRIE
+32 2 298 65 00
daniel.ferrie@ec.europa.eu
· Francesca DALBONI
+32 2 298 81 70
Francesca.DALBONI@ec.europa.eu
Sustainable Finance: Commission takes further steps to boost investment for a sustainable future
The Commission has today put forward a new package of measures to build on and strengthen the foundations of the EU sustainable finance framework.
The transition to a climate-neutral and sustainable economy by 2050 offers new opportunities for companies and citizens across the EU. Many companies and investors have already embarked on their sustainability journey, as the growing size of sustainable investment testifies. However, companies and investors are also facing challenges in this transition, especially when it comes to complying with new disclosure and reporting requirements.
The aim of today's package therefore is to ensure that the EU sustainable finance framework continues to support companies and the financial sector, while encouraging the private funding of transition projects and technologies. Specifically, the Commission is today adding additional activities to the EU Taxonomy and proposing new rules for Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating providers, which will increase transparency on the market for sustainable investments. The package aims to ensure that the sustainable finance framework works for companies that want to invest in their transition to sustainability. It aims also to make the sustainable finance framework easier to use, thereby continuing to contribute effectively to the European Green Deal objectives.
The package in detail:
EU Taxonomy Delegated Acts
The EU Taxonomy is a cornerstone of the EU's sustainable finance framework and an important market transparency tool that helps direct investments to the economic activities most needed for a green transition.
The Commission has today approved in principle a new set of EU Taxonomy criteria for economic activities making a substantial contribution to one or more of the non-climate environmental objectives, namely:
To complement this, the Commission has adopted targeted amendments to the EU Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act, which expand on economic activities contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation not included so far – in particular in the manufacturing and transport sectors. The inclusion of more economic activities covering all six environmental objectives, and consequently more economic sectors and companies, will increase the usability and the potential of the EU Taxonomy in scaling up sustainable investments in the EU.
The criteria are informed to a very large extent by the recommendations of the Platform on Sustainable Finance, published in March and November 2022. The Commission has also adopted amendments to the EU Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act, to clarify the disclosure obligations for the additional activities.
Proposal for a regulation of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ratings providers
ESG ratings play an important role in the EU sustainable finance market as they provide information to investors and financial institutions regarding, for example, investment strategies and risk management on ESG factors.
Today, the ESG ratings market currently suffers from a lack of transparency and the Commission is proposing a Regulation to improve the reliability and transparency of ESG ratings activities. New organisational principles and clear rules on the prevention of conflicts of interest will increase the integrity of the operations of ESG rating providers.
These new rules will enable investors to make better informed decisions regarding sustainable investments. Moreover, the proposal will require that ESG rating providers offering services to investors and companies in the EU be authorised and supervised by the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA). This will also ensure the quality and reliability of their services to protect investors and ensure market integrity.
Enhancing usability
In addition, the Commission is presenting today an overview of the recent measures and tools put forward to address key implementation issues and questions raised by stakeholders. Early reporting trends show that companies across all key economic sectors are using the EU Taxonomy more and more as part of their transition efforts. For instance, this year's initial corporate taxonomy reporting shows encouraging trends among large non-financial companies, with many reporting increasing values of taxonomy alignment, in particular in their capital expenditure.
As a first step, the Commission has recently developed a series of targeted measures and initiatives to enhance the usability of the rules and support stakeholders in their implementation. The Commission is also publishing the EU Taxonomy User Guide, a guidance document on the Taxonomy for non-experts. Supporting companies and the financial sector in the implementation of the EU Taxonomy and sustainable finance framework will be a key priority for the Commission in the future.
Transition finance
Today's package also demonstrates how the EU legal framework can be used effectively to facilitate transition finance. Today's recommendations on transition finance aim to provide guidance as well as practical examples for companies and the financial sector. These aim to show how companies can use the various tools of the EU sustainable finance framework on a voluntary basis to channel the investments into the transition and manage their risks stemming from climate change and environmental degradation. The objective is to facilitate transition finance, not only for companies that have strong sustainability records already, but also for those that are at different starting points, with credible plans or targets to improve their sustainability performance. It also acknowledges that small and medium-sized enterprises face specific challenges that need to be addressed.
Background and next steps
The EU Taxonomy Delegated Acts are approved in principle and once all EU official languages will be made available, they will be adopted and transmitted to the European Parliament and the Council for their scrutiny (four-month period, extendable once by two additional months). They are expected to apply as of January 2024.
Regarding the proposal for a regulation of ESG ratings providers, the Commission will now engage in discussions with the European Parliament and Council.
Today's package follows the launching on Friday 9 June of a four-week feedback period on a first set of sustainability reporting standards for companies. Mandatory reporting standards will ensure transparent and comparable sustainability information. The Commission will consider the feedback received before finalising the standards as delegated acts and submitting them to the European Parliament and Council for scrutiny. Once adopted, these reporting standards will be used by companies subject to the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This will mark another step forward in the transition to a sustainable EU economy.
For more information
Questions and answers
Facthseet
Legal texts
The EU has achieved a great deal to promote sustainable finance over the years. Today we are going even further in completing the regulatory landscape to help generate much-needed investments for sustainable growth. It is essential that the rules and instruments in place are coherent, user-friendly and work effectively on the ground. At the same time, we want to ensure that all companies can get finance to invest in their transition to sustainability. This is also important to increase the long-term competitiveness of Europe’s companies and economy and to fight climate change.
We have the foundations of the sustainable finance framework in place. Now is time to build on them. Today we are taking steps to further develop the EU Taxonomy. And we are bringing more transparency and integrity to the market by introducing rules on the operations of ESG rating agencies. Enhancing the usability and coherence of the sustainable finance framework will be our key priority. We also need to reap the full potential of transition finance to ensure that all companies irrespective of their starting points can have adequate tools and support for their transition efforts towards sustainability.
Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union - 13/06/2023
Proposals to strengthen the EU's sustainable finance agenda
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· Aikaterini APOSTOLA
+32 2 298 76 24
aikaterini.apostola@ec.europa.eu
European Health Union: EU steps up the fight against antimicrobial resistance
The Commission welcomes today's adoption by the Council of the European Union of the Commission's proposal to strengthen EU action against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Announced together with the Commission's revision of the pharmaceutical legislation on 26 April, the AMR Recommendation helps combat AMR in the fields of human, animal and environmental health, following the so-called One Health approach.
The Recommendation focusses on infection prevention and control, surveillance and monitoring, innovation and availability of efficient antimicrobials, prudent use and cooperation among Member States and globally.
Several EU targets, developed with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), are set for 2030:
These recommended targets for the EU, which are also translated for each national level, will help the EU to tackle AMR taking into account national specificities without compromising patients' health and safety. They will also allow better monitoring of infections and consumption of antibiotics in the coming years and adjust policy making accordingly.
This Recommendation also confirms the EU's international leadership on AMR and calls on the Commission and the Member States to cover AMR in the pandemic agreement currently under negotiation. It also invited to keep AMR high on the agenda of the G7 and G20.
Antimicrobials are crucial medicines. However, over the years, their overuse and misuse have led to increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), meaning that antimicrobials lose their effectiveness, and it becomes more difficult, if not impossible, to treat infections. Therefore, the Commission included in the pharmaceutical package in April a proposal for a Council Recommendation containing complementary measures. The revision of the EU pharmaceutical legislation indeed also aims to boost the development of innovative novel antimicrobials, as well as ensuring their prudent use and lower their impact on the environment.
Council Recommendation on antimicrobial resistance
Q&A Antimicrobial Resistance (europa.eu)
Factsheet on tackling antimicrobial resistance
EU Action on Antimicrobial Resistance
This is a good day for health. Not only human health, but also for animal health and for a healthy environment! Thanks to the speedy work of the Swedish Presidency and Health Ministers, we have a Council Recommendations on antimicrobial resistance. Our fight against AMR will be a long one, but this Recommendation is a major milestone.
I welcome the Councils record time adoption of our proposal to take stronger action against antimicrobial resistance. This clearly shows the determination at EU level to fight AMR with utmost urgency, crucial for a strong European Health Union that protects its citizens. We now have clear targets set to tackle a major health threat costing the lives of 35,000 persons in the EU every year. I want to thank the Swedish Presidency for its efforts and attention to this important topic.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety - 13/06/2023
EU steps up the fight against antimicrobial resistance
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· Stefan DE KEERSMAECKER
+32 2 298 46 80
stefan.de-keersmaecker@ec.europa.eu
· Célia DEJOND
+32 2 298 81 99
celia.dejond@ec.europa.eu
Commission and Europa Nostra award 28 exemplary heritage achievements from 21 countries
Today, the Commission and Europa Nostra, the leading European heritage network, have announced the 28 winners of this year's European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards, funded through the EU's Creative Europe programme. The projects selected are based in 21 EU Member States or countries associated to Creative Europe.
Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, congratulated all the winners and said: “Each winning achievement of this year's European Heritage Awards/Europa Nostra Awards is the result of extraordinary skills and commitment, collective and individual, spanning heritage places and traditions across Europe. By honouring these achievements, we also reiterate our firm commitment to protecting our shared cultural heritage, because it is vital for our sense of togetherness as citizens and communities of Europe.”
The winners will be celebrated on 28 September at the European Heritage Awards Ceremony. It will be a highlight of the European Cultural Heritage Summit 2023, organised by Europa Nostra with the support of the Commission, from 27 to 30 September in the World Heritage City of Venice. The Grand Prix laureates and the Public Choice Award winner, chosen from among this year's winning projects and entitled to receive €10,000 each, will be announced during the ceremony.
Heritage supporters and enthusiasts are now encouraged to discover the winners and vote online to decide who will win the Public Choice Award 2023.
More information on the award winners can be found here.
(For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 53; Flore Boutier - Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)
Agriculture: The Commission approves a new geographical indication - ‘Çağlayancerit Cevizi' from Türkiye
Today, the Commission approved the addition of ‘Çağlayancerit Cevizi' from Türkiye as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
Çağlayancerit Cevizi is a walnut, produced in the Çağlayancerit Cevizi region. Walnut cultivation and walnut culture in Çağlayancerit has become an important tradition. The cool and dry wind blowing from west to east along the valley makes the region very suitable for walnut. The biggest indicator of the historical importance and current size of walnut production in the region are the walnut trees which age between 400-500 years. Also, widespread beekeeping activities in the district has a high effect on the pollination quality of the walnut during the flowering period. Walnut harvesting in the district is done by ancestral methods with 4-5 meters long sticks. Thanks to the production and preparation technique transferred from generation to generation, there is a traditional transfer of experience.
This new denomination will be added to the list of 1,631 agricultural 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 and on our GIView portal.
(For more information: Miriam Garcia Ferrer – Tel.: +32 2 299 90 75; Thérèse Lerebours – Tel.: +32 2 296 33 03)
New EU contribution for EIB's Ukraine support package to enable new lending of €100 million
The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have agreed to make available an EU guarantee enabling the EIB to provide €100 million of new loans to Ukraine for fast recovery, such as for municipal or energy infrastructure repairs.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “The EU is stepping up support to address Ukraine's fast recovery needs. In addition to our €1 billion for fast recovery to support critical sectors, the agreed EU guarantee allows EIB to lend to Ukraine an additional €100 million on very favourable terms. We are determined to bring back life to all the communities in Ukraine that suffer from Russia's aggression.”
This EU guarantee is one of the elements of the EU for Ukraine (EU4U) Initiative that the EIB approved in March 2023 and which also includes the EU4Ukraine Fund and a €100 million technical assistance and advisory package from the EIB's own funds.
These loans will contribute to help closing Ukraine's financial needs for fast recovery priorities in 2023 in light of the updated Ukraine recovery and reconstruction needs assessment.
Overall, the EU has made available €70 billion in support for Ukraine and its people, including - with this latest agreement - €2.4 billion of EIB financing to Ukraine, backed by an EU guarantee.
A press release with more information is available online.
(For more information: Ana Pisonero Hernandez – Tel.: +32 2 295 43 20; Paloma Hall Caballero – Tel.: +32 2 296 85 60)
Commissioner Dalli in New York to deliver EU statement at the UN Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, will be at the United Nations in New York on 13-14 June to attend the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Today, Commissioner Dalli will read out the EU statement, marking the first time ever that a member of the European Commission attends the Conference of States Parties. The conference can be followed live here.
The Commissioner will further deliver the closing speech at the side event on ending forced sterilisation for persons with disabilities and promoting sexual and reproductive rights, which is co-sponsored by the European Disability Forum, Malta and the UN Economic Commission for Western Asia. Subsequently, she will deliver two keynote speeches, at the EU side event on developing skills for employment as well as at the side event on maximising, understanding and monitoring the impact of disability strategies, co-sponsored by Sweden, the EU and the European Disability Forum.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Dalli will have multiple bilateral meetings to discuss, amongst others, the Strategy on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Equality and non-discrimination are cornerstones of EU policies, and the Strategy aims at ensuring the right of persons with disabilities to fully participate in society in the EU and beyond.
The Commissioner will have meetings with H.R.H. Prince Mired bin Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan; Gertrude Fefoame, the Chair of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Dan Rashal, Commissioner for Equal Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the Israeli Ministry of Justice; as well as with US Special Advisor, Sara Minkara.
(For more information: Anitta Hipper — Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91; Marajke Slomka — Tel.: +32 2 298 26 13)
COLLEGE MEETING: The European Commission appoints a new Director for its department for Competition
The European Commission has decided today to appoint Carlota Reyners Fontana as Director ‘Markets and Cases II: Information Technology, Communication and Media' in its Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP). This Commission department is responsible for EU policy on competition and for enforcing EU competition rules, in cooperation with national competition authorities. The date of effect of her appointment will be determined later.
Carlota Reyners Fontana, a Spanish and French national, will draw on her extensive knowledge of the information technology, communication and media sectors along with her expertise of competition law enforcement. In addition, she has built up refined management skills along with an excellent analytical and conceptual capacity.
Carlota Reyners Fontana has been working as Head of Unit ‘Electronic Communications Policy, Enforcement and Implementation' and prior to that, Head of Unit ‘Investment in high-capacity networks' in the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CNECT). From late 2014 until 2017, she was Deputy Head of the ‘Radio Spectrum Policy' unit. From 2012 until 2014, she was a Member of the Cabinet of Vice-President for Digital Agenda, Nellie Kroes. In the preceding two years, she was Case Manager in DG COMP, after having been a Case Handler in the same DG from 2000 until 2006. She started her career in Brussels as an associate specialised in EU law in an international law firm and she also worked as senior in-house lawyer in Competition and Telecommunication law for a company in Spain.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Claire Joawn - Tel.: +32 2 295 68 59)
COLLEGE MEETING: The European Commission appoints a new Director in its Joint Research Centre
The European Commission has decided to appoint Ciarán Nicholl as Director of ‘Health and Food' in the Joint Research Centre (JRC). This Commission department provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society. The date of effect of his appointment will be determined later.
Ciarán Nicholl is an Irish national, has extensive experience working at the science-policy interface and a strong background in managing networks of specialists and high-level experts. Moreover, he is also equipped with excellent communication and negotiation skills, together with an outstanding track-record in project management.
Since 2013, he has built up the Disease Prevention Unit in the JRC's ‘Health and Food' Directorate and founded the European Commission's Knowledge Centre on Cancer. He has notably led JRC's work on initiatives such as the European Cancer Information System, Health Promotion Knowledge Gateway and EU Platform for Rare Diseases Registration. He joined the JRC in 1995 as a post-doctorate grant holder working in nuclear chemistry and he has ten years' experience in JRC communication. His academic background includes a PhD in cancer research from Heidelberg University.
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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