DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 01 September 2023
Commission opens Digital Europe Programme to Türkiye
The European Commission signed an association agreement for the Digital Europe Programme with Türkiye. Following the signatures, and upon the completion of the related ratification processes, the association agreement will enter into force. Businesses, public administrations and other eligible organisations in Türkiye will be able to access the calls of the Digital Europe Programme, a programme with an overall budget of €7.5 billion in the 2021-2027 period.
In particular, participants from Türkiye will be able to take part in projects that deploy digital technologies across the EU in specific areas such as artificial intelligence, and advanced digital skills. They will also be able to set up Digital Innovation Hubs in Türkiye.
With this association agreement, the European Union and Türkiye will reinforce their strong links in the field of digital technologies – with potential benefits arising from Türkiye's capabilities and assets in the areas covered by the Digital Europe Programme, including in AI.
The Commission also hopes to see Türkiye foster closer links to the EU economy and society, cooperate more on developing our technological capabilities and support digitalisation, in particular of small and medium-sized enterprises.
The Digital Europe Programme's funds will complement funding available to Türkiye through other EU programmes such as Horizon Europe. The objectives and specific topic areas that are currently eligible for funding are detailed in the Work Programmes.
For more information, please consult the link on the Digital Europe Programme and how to apply for funding.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 15; Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99)
COVID-19: Commission authorises adapted COVID-19 vaccine for Member States' autumn vaccination campaigns
Today, the Commission has authorised the Comirnaty XBB.1.5-adapted COVID-19 vaccine, developed by BioNTech-Pfizer. This vaccine marks another important milestone in the fight against the disease. It is the third adaptation of this vaccine to respond to new COVID-19 variants.
The vaccine is authorised for adults, children and infants above 6 months. In line with previous recommendations by EMA and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), adults and children from 5 years of age who require vaccination should have a single dose, irrespective of their COVID-19 vaccination history.
The authorisation comes after a stringent evaluation by the European Medicines Agency, under the accelerated assessment mechanism. The Commission authorised this adapted vaccine under an expedited procedure to allow Member States to prepare in time for their autumn-winter vaccination campaigns.
Background
With our EU Vaccines Strategy, the Commission continues to ensure that Member States have access to the latest authorised COVID-19 vaccines in quantities needed to protect the vulnerable parts of their population and deal with the epidemiological evolution of the virus.
In line with the ECDC-EMA statement on updating COVID-19 vaccines composition for new SARS-CoV-2 virus variants, BioNTech-Pfizer has adapted its COVID-19 vaccine to target the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain XBB.1.5. The adapted vaccine is also expected to increase the breadth of immunity against current dominant and emerging variants.
The amendment to the contract with BioNTech-Pfizer signed in May 2023 ensures that Member States continue to have access to vaccines adapted to new COVID-19 variants in the upcoming years.
For More Information
Commission authorisation
EMA decision
EU Vaccines Strategy
Safe COVID-19 vaccines for Europeans
EU Coronavirus Response
Overview of the Commission's Response
Quote(s)
I welcome this very timely authorisation of the updated COVID vaccine, which will target emerging and spreading variants. COVID-19 will circulate in parallel to seasonal influenza during the upcoming autumn and winter season, and we need to be ready. This potential double threat will put vulnerable people at increased risk and place further pressure on hospitals and healthcare workers. Vaccination is our most effective tool against both viruses, and therefore I encourage everyone eligible, especially the most vulnerable, to follow the scientific recommendations and get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety - 31/08/2023
European Heritage Days: “Living Heritage” celebrating cultural traditions and skills
Today marks the start of the 2023 European Heritage Days, with tens of thousands of events taking place in 48 participating countries. This year's theme is “Living Heritage”, which will showcase the vibrancy, diversity and significance of cultural traditions, knowledge and skills across Europe.As from today until November 2023, exceptional sites and monuments will open their doors to visitors. In addition, cultural events, exhibitions, artistic performances, interactive workshops, lectures, and guided tours will take place, all inspired by the theme of "Living Heritage". These activities valorise the cultural traditions and skills in shaping our societies.
Jointly organised by the Commission and the Council of Europe, the European Heritage Days is an opportunity for citizens to learn more about Europe's rich and diverse culture and promote the protection of our shared heritage for present and future generations.
This year, the impactful initiatives introduced in 2019 will continue. These initiatives include the engaging European Heritage Days Stories, a platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of heritage professionals and spotlighting the remarkable preservation efforts carried out by individuals and groups across Europe. Another noteworthy initiative, "Young European Heritage Makers," formerly known as European Heritage Makers Week, empowers and provides a genuine platform for children and young individuals, identifying the future champions of European heritage. This initiative has also nurtured European cross-frontier co-operation projects, fostering collaboration among diverse heritage sites. Notably, a dedicated Call for European Heritage Label (EHL) sites was launched, enhancing synergies between these initiatives. These actions are aimed at fortifying the European dimension by endorsing cross frontier activities led by the National Coordinators of the European Heritage Days program. As the legacy continues, the European Heritage Days remain committed to celebrating and safeguarding the rich cultural tapestry of Europe.
The European Heritage Days website features detailed event schedules, participating countries, and ways to engage.
Initiated by the Council of Europe in 1985, the European Heritage Days foster cultural diversity, dialogue, and heritage preservation. Taking place annually across participating European nations, the celebrations offer a range of cultural events and activities. In 2022, around 20 million people have participated to the European Heritage Days.
Since 1999, jointly organised by the Commission and the Council of Europe, the European Heritage Days stand as a testament to the richness of European cultural heritage, while fostering dialogue, inclusivity, and cross-border activities. European Heritage Days are organised in close cooperation with national coordinators in each of the 48 countries that have ratified the European Cultural Convention. Every year has a distinctive, unifying pan-European theme.
Council of Europe press release
Living Heritage brochure
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Now more than ever, we need to support grassroots initiatives and community-led projects. People’s Europe will require joint actions and bottom-up initiatives. This goes to the heart of our way of life and the values that sustain it.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life - 01/09/2023
EU-Moldova “Roam like at Home” closer to reality
The Commission adopted today a proposal to incorporate roaming into the EU-Moldova Association Agreement. Once all necessary steps have been completed, Moldovan visitors to the EU will be able to use their mobile phones under the same price conditions as if they were in Moldova, while travellers from the EU will benefit from the same rights when visiting Moldova.
Bringing Moldova into the EU “roam like at home” area is one of the key actions of the EU-Moldova Priority Action Plan, agreed in June 2023. This plan is a roadmap for the full implementation of the EU-Moldova Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) and Moldova's further integration into the EU Single Market.
Today's step follows the Joint Declaration on 31 May by EU and Moldovan telecom operators to voluntarily lower roaming tariffs from 1 January 2024, facilitated by the European Commission.
The Commission will allow the update of the EU-Moldova Association Agreement by adding the most recent EU legislation on telecoms and postal services.
Next steps
The proposal will now be considered by the Council of the European Union. Following the Council's agreement, a Joint Decision will need to be taken by the EU-Moldova Association Committee in Trade Configuration to amend the Association Agreement Annex to incorporate the most recent EU legislation on telecoms and postal services. Once the approximation and implementation of the relevant EU legislation in Moldova in completed, Moldova and the EU will be in a position to agree to allowing “roami like at home” to start.
Since being granted candidate status in June 2022, the Republic of Moldova has expressed a strong interest in reflecting single market rules in the telecom sector. The Commission shares its goal of bringing the Republic of Moldova into the EU's “roam like at home” area, which has benefited millions of citizens across the EU already, and represents a fundamental element of the Single Market.
The Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) between the EU and Moldova was signed in June 2014 and has been in full effect since July 2016.
The Priority Action Plan for 2023-2024 has been put in place to spur the implementation of the DCFTA. Since the European Council has granted Moldova candidate status on 23 June 2022, the EU and Moldova have reached a new stage in their relationship. The Priority Action Plan reflects jointly agreed new priorities for 2023-2024.
The proposal adopted today is for a Council Decision on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union in the Association Committee in Trade Configuration as regards the amendment of Annex XXVIII-B (Rules applicable to telecommunication services) and Annex XXVIII-C (Rules applicable to postal and courier services) of the Association Agreement.
Commission proposal to incorporate roaming into the EU-Moldova Association Agreement
Joint Declaration by EU and Moldova operators
Priority Action Plan for implementation of the EU-Moldova DCFTA 2023-2024
Priority Action Plan - Infographic
EU-Moldova trade relations
EU roaming
Today we are one step closer towards bringing Moldova into the EU free roaming area. Citizens in the EU and Moldova will be able in future to call, text and use the Internet without extra costs when travelling abroad: just like the Roam-like-at-home that Europeans are very familiar with. It will make life easier for Moldovan citizens coming to the EU, and help EU citizens travelling to Moldova. It demonstrates that Moldova’s future is in the EU.
Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade - 01/09/2023
Today’s proposal brings Moldovan citizens closer to benefiting from an important aspect of the Single Market: roaming without surcharges when travelling within the EU. This step will further support the country’s advancement on its European path and into the EU Single Market and represents an important milestone in our ever-deepening relationship.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market - 01/09/2023
A travelling exhibition across the EU celebrates the 30th anniversary of the Single Market
Today marks the start of the Single Market Tour, a travelling exhibition celebrating the success of the Single Market on the occasion of its 30th anniversary and involving citizens in discussing its future. The tour kicks off in Trieste, Italy, and will showcase the many benefits and opportunities of the Single Market. It will feature interactive activities, challenging games, and insightful dialogues. The tour will then embark on a journey across Europe, and is scheduled to visit Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal and France until the end of the year. There will be many other destinations in 2024.
Since the beginning of the year, numerous debates, conferences, and events have been organised with relevant parties across the EU to celebrate the achievements of the Single Market and encourage reflections on its future.
In March this year, the Commission published a Communication celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Single Market, which is one of the major achievements of European integration, and one of its key drivers. Established on 1 January 1993, the European Single Market allows goods, services, people and capital to move around the EU freely, making life easier for people and opening up new opportunities for businesses. Now more than ever, it is an important factor of Europe's economic resilience during crises and provides a crucial geopolitical lever that boosts the EU's standing and influence in the world.
For more information and the tour's itinerary, consult the Single Market Tour page.
(For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 2 296 69 53; Flore Boutier – Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)
Calendar:
Tuesday 05 September,
Mr Margaritis Schinas receives Mr Pierre-Yves Dermagne, Deputy Prime Minister of Belgium; participates to the EPP Youth Week panel session “A more secure Europe”.
Thursday 07 September,
Mr Margaritis Schinas participates to the Conference of the Heads of Government of the German Länder.
Ms Stella Kyriakides delivers a speech at the event on ‘How can the EU Pharmaceutical legislation be a success for children and adolescents with cancer?' co-organised by the European Society for Paediatric Oncology together with MEPs Against Cancer (MAC) Interest Group and hosted by MEP Loucas Fourlas in the European Parliament.
Friday 08 September,
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Thessaloniki, Greece (until 09/09): participates to the Economist - Third Thessaloniki Metropolitan Summit: “Envisaging Thessaloniki's Future in a New Era for Europe”; participates to the high level conference on climate neutrality organised by the Greek ministry of environment and energy.
Saturday 09 September,
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Thessaloniki, Greece : participates to the panel session “The European model of sports : sports for all” organised by the European Commission in Greece in the margins of the Thessaloniki international fair.
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