EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 14 November 2023
CALENDAR
TUESDAY 14 NOVEMBER
Ms Stella Kyriakides delivers a keynote speech at the UNCAN.eu closing event: Towards A European Federated Cancer Research Data Hub; holds a videoconference call with Mr Mark Holland, Minister for Health of Canada; and holds a videoconference call with Ms Vanessa Kerry, WHO Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health.
WEDNESDAY 15 NOVEMBER
Ms Stella Kyriakides delivers a keynote speech at the 2023 European Cancer Summit - Accelerating Momentum: A manifesto to 2030.
FRIDAY 17 NOVEMBER
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: delivers a speech at an event on mental health and sports organized by the University of Cyprus; delivers a speech on Europe's Beating Cancer Plan at the Standing Committee on Cancer of the Federation of Cyprus Patients' Associations; delivers a speech at the FONI Council on combatting child sexual abuse and exploitation; visits the Cyprus News Agency and holds a meeting with the Board of Directors.
Calendrier du 13 au 19 novembre 2023 (europa.eu)
Skills shortages are a serious problem for majority of EU SMEs, Eurobarometer shows
A new Eurobarometer survey released today finds that skills shortages are one of the most serious problems for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the EU. The challenge of skills shortages has grown over the years and now encompasses all EU Member States and all sectors of the economy.
The survey is a useful tool in understanding the impact of skills shortages on SMEs, and will feed into the Commission's policy making. Among other things, it will inform the implementation of the SME relief package that was adopted in September 2023 and stipulates various actions to improve the skills situation for SMEs in the EU. The survey also complements another recently published Eurobarometer study which, among other things, focuses on the training and skilling activities of businesses.
Some of the key conclusions of the Eurobarometer study are:
Background
Today's Eurobarometer 537 study on 'SMEs and skills shortages' was initiated in the context of the European year of skills. It was carried out between September and October 2023 in the 27 EU Member States as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, North Macedonia, Turkey, the United States, Canada and Japan. More than 19 350 companies (both SMEs and large companies) were interviewed via telephone. The main analysis report focuses on SMEs in the EU (13 253 interviews), which are compared to those for large companies (with 250 or more employees) surveyed in the EU (855 interviews), and to those for SMEs in a selection of non-EU countries (3 925 interviews).
Following today's publication, the survey will be presented at the EU´s annual SME assembly which takes place from 13 to 15 November in Bilbao, Spain and is the EU´s flagship event for SMEs, bringing together hundreds of policy makers.
The need for additional policy support as regards skills was also recognized in the EU´s SME relief package, which addresses the hardship experienced by many EU SMEs throughout the ongoing string of political and economic crisis. It presents a comprehensive set of measures related to the reduction of administrative burden, improved access to finance, life cycle support measures as well as actions in support of skills, including among other things the facilitation of the mutual recognition of qualifications of third country nationals. The package also foresees that the Commission will soon present a proposal to establish an EU Talent Pool and an initiative to improve the recognition of qualifications and skills of third country nationals to help skills gaps in the EU labour market. Moreover, the Commission will work with groups whose untapped entrepreneurial potential remains high, such as women, young people and persons with disabilities, through awareness, mentoring and coaching campaigns.
For More Information
Eurobarometer 537 study on 'SMEs and skills shortages'
Eurobarometer website
Quote(s)
Overcoming skills shortages is a priority for the European economy. The Commission is already working on addressing skills shortages in key strategic sectors like batteries or other net zero technologies. This study will contribute to our understanding of how skills shortages affect SMEs, which represent 98% of the European economy, in view of improving their overall competitiveness.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market - 14/11/2023
The Interoperable Europe Act will improve online public services for people and businesses
The Commission welcomes the agreement reached last evening between the European Parliament and Council on the Interoperable Europe Act. This regulation will strengthen cross-border interoperability and cooperation in the public sector across the EU. The Commission proposed the Act to help achieve Europe's digital targets for 2030, by making key public services available online to all persons in the EU without discrimination. Agreement reached today paves the way towards completing the Digital Single Market.
The Interoperable Europe Act brings public sector exchange of information across the Union to a next level and accelerates the digital transformation of Europe's public sector. It introduces a cooperation framework for public administrations across the EU to help cross-border exchange of data. This cooperation ensures agreement on interoperable and re-usable digital solutions, such as open-source software, guidelines, checklists, frameworks, and IT tools. In doing so, it helps to remove administrative burdens, including legal, organisational, semantic and technical obstacles to administrative cooperation.
The Act will ensure seamless access to cross-border public services for people in the EU, improving the quality of life for those wishing to work, study or retire in another Member State, including the 150 million EU citizens living in a border region, or two million commuters between Member States.
Next Steps
The legal text now needs to be approved and adopted, before the Regulation can enter into force. The Commission is already preparing the ground to ensure a smooth and timely implementation of the Regulation.
Interoperability is about achieving common goals together, despite organisational or geographical distance between actors. Public sector interoperability represents the ability of administrations to cooperate and make public services function across borders, sectors and organisational boundaries. It saves time and costs for people and businesses by improving their interactions with administrations. The fight against Covid-19 serves as a great example of effective interoperability. The creation of the EU Digital COVID Certificate facilitated cross-border travel in the EU during the pandemic.
Interoperable digital public services are essential for building the Digital Single Market. Apart from the economic benefits and efficiency gains, experience shows that interoperability improves user centricity and positively affects public values, such as improving trust from citizens in their governments.
In the past years, digital government and data experts have developed wide-ranging common interoperability cooperation practices based on the current European Interoperability Framework (EIF). However, recent evaluations have exposed the limitations of this entirely voluntary cooperation approach.
EU Member States have increasingly stressed the need to strengthen European interoperability cooperation. Among others, the ministerial declarations signed in 2017 in Tallinn and in 2020 in Berlin attest to this necessity. Likewise, EU citizens participating in the Conference on the Future of Europe called for facilitating cross-border interoperability.
Questions and Answers: Interoperable Europe Act
Interoperable Europe Act Proposal
Communication
Impact assessment report
European Interoperability Framework for Smart Cities and Communities (EIF4SCC)
Evaluation of the EIF
With the swift conclusion of the negotiations on the Interoperable Europe Act, in less than one year after the Commission proposal, the Council and European Parliament demonstrate their eagerness to boost the digital transformation of public services. This brings direct benefits to people and business in the EU. The agreement reached today is an essential step towards better digital public services, less administrative burden and cost-savings for all involved.
Commissioner Johannes Hahn - 14/11/2023
The Education for Climate Day 2023 will focus on green competences of learners and educators across the EU
Tomorrow, the Education for Climate Day 2023 will take place online from 9.00 to 17.30 CET. The Education for Climate Day event is open to learners of all ages and levels, educators, trainers, education stakeholders, institutions, industry professionals, NGOs, Climate Pact ambassadors and anyone willing to contribute actively to the green transition and act on climate. The event will be the occasion for citizens to engage in interesting discussions, share ideas, challenges, and experiences on how to tackle sustainability in and through education and in everyday life.
Six thematic sessions will cover a broad range of topics, from best practices in innovative green education to recommendations from the Youth Climate LAB on how to make unsustainable fashion trends more sustainable through individual and collective actions or a dedicated session ahead of COP28 UN Climate Change Conference.
Participants will also get an in-depth understanding of European Union's initiatives supporting the development of environmental awareness and competences useful to navigate through the green transition and driving change towards climate neutrality for the benefit of our society.
The Education for Climate Day is the annual flagship event of the Education for Climate Coalition, the Commission's participatory community under the European Education Area to support teaching and learning for the green transition and sustainable development.
Gaining competences and knowledge for the green transition is one of the many initiatives contributing to the European Green Deal that will turn the EU into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels and putting the EU on track to become climate-neutral by mid-century.
(For more information: Johanna Bernsel — Tel.: + 32 2 298 66 99; Flore Boutier — Tel: +32 2 296 60 43)
Commission welcomes political agreement on the Critical Raw Materials Act
The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached today between the European Parliament and the Council on the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA). The Act sets out a series of comprehensive actions to ensure the EU's access to a secure, diversified, affordable and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. This is essential for the competitiveness of Europe, including for green and digital industries as well as defence and aerospace.
The new rules help to increase domestic capacities for critical raw materials along the supply chain, complementing initiatives to diversify their supply through international partnerships supported by the Global Gateway facility. The agreed benchmarks specify that the EU should have the capacity to extract 10%*, process 40%, and recycle 25% of its annual consumption of strategic raw materials by 2030. In terms of recycling, the deal also ensures that we will progressively take into account waste to determine recycling objectives. The compromise also includes the objective to mitigate demand through resource efficiency and technological progress. The EU should also diversify its imports of strategic raw materials, so that it does not rely on a single source of supply for more than 65% of its consumption.
To strengthen the EU domestic capacities, the Commission with Member States will identify Strategic Projects along the value chain that will benefit from more streamlined, faster and more efficient permitting procedures as well as facilitated access to finance. The agreement also extends the scope of Strategic Projects to those allowing the production of materials that substitute strategic raw materials. Moreover, the Act ensures that efforts to build secure and sustainable critical raw material value chains, through Strategic Projects in the EU or in third countries, are made in compliance with high environmental, social and governance standards.
The agreement includes that the list of critical and strategic raw materials will now become part of EU law, and adds aluminium and synthetic graphite to the list. These raw materials have been identified given their strategic importance for green, digital, defence and space sectors and their forecasted increase in demand that will exceed the foreseeable supply. The Act also introduces an effective monitoring of critical raw materials supply chains, and an obligation for large companies to perform risk assessments of their supply chains. It also foresees the coordination of strategic raw materials stocks among Member States.
The political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council is now subject to their formal approval.
The Critical Raw Materials Act was announced by President von der Leyen in her 2022 State of the Union speech, where she called to address the EU's dependency on critical raw materials by diversifying and securing a domestic and sustainable supply of critical raw materials. It responds to the 2022 Versailles Declaration adopted by the European Council, which outlined the strategic importance of critical raw materials to guarantee the Union's strategic autonomy and European sovereignty. It also responds to the conclusions of the Conference on the Future of Europe and to the November 2021 resolution of the European Parliament for an EU critical raw materials' strategy.
The Commission presented the proposal for the Critical Raw Materials Act on 17 March 2023. The measures build upon the 2023 criticality assessment, a foresight report focusing on strategic technologies, as well as the actions initiated under the 2020 Action Plan on critical raw materials, underpinned by the scientific work of the Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC).
Critical Raw Materials Act
*Updated on 13/11/2023 at 20:20
Delighted that co-legislators agreed on this important proposal in record time. The Critical Raw Materials Act ensures that Europe can take its future in its hands. With this Act, we can rely on secure, diversified and sustainable critical raw material value chains in Europe. This is the basis to succeed in the Green and Digital transition.
Vice-President Věra Jourová - 13/11/2023
I strongly welcome the political agreement on the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, which the Commission presented 8 months ago. The speed of negotiations and level of ambition demonstrate that raw materials have become essential for Europe’s economic security and resilience. From green and digital technologies to defence and aerospace, demand for critical raw materials is increasing fast. Without action, Europe risks supply shortages and unwanted dependencies. With this new law, we are increasing our extracting, processing, refining and recycling capacities in Europe with the highest environmental and social standards. We will work with Member States to identify strategic projects that will benefit from shorter and more efficient permitting procedures and easier access to finance. In parallel, we will continue to pursue global partnerships to diversify our sources of supply. Because de-risking our economies is not about self-reliance: it's about resilience.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market - 13/11/2023
Commission funds 171 new LIFE projects in environment and climate across Europe with over €396 million
The European Commission has today approved 171 new projects across Europe under the LIFE Programme for environment and climate action, worth more than €396 million. Thanks to the programme's co-funding requirements, it will mobilise a total investment of more than €722 million, which represents a 28,5 % increase compared to last year. Projects from almost all EU countries will benefit from EU support under the following sub-programmes: nature and biodiversity; circular economy and quality of life; climate change mitigation and adaptation; and clean energy transition.
LIFE projects contribute to reaching the European Green Deal's broad range of climate, energy and environmental goals, including the EU's aim to become climate-neutral by 2050. They support biodiversity and nature restoration, improve the quality of life of Europeans by reducing pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, increase circularity in the economy and climate resilience, and accelerate the transition to clean energy across Europe.
Examples of awarded projects
One of the biggest nature and biodiversity projects involves 13 EU Member States and other European countries tackling fishing bycatch in the North Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean waters. Led by The Netherlands, the project aims to minimise - and where possible eliminate - bycatch in the regions involved in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
To promote a more circular economy and quality of life, one project in Bulgaria will promote sustainable consumption, prevention and separate collection of waste involving local authorities, businesses and citizens. The project aims to show how Bulgaria's traditional landfill dumping can be replaced by new ‘pay as you throw' door-to-door waste collection and recycling schemes.
Supporting climate mitigation, a French project aims to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of an innovative and cost-efficient photovoltaic system before bringing it to the market. The technology consists of bifacial solar panels that are suspended above unexploited sites such as canals, basins and reservoirs. This technology will help generate more renewable energy, decrease greenhouse gas emissions and reduce competition for land use.
A new multi-country project will also support the clean energy transition in the HORECA (hotel, restaurant, catering) value chain in seven EU countries. The project aims to train over 500 workers and engage around 10 000 stakeholders in the accommodation and food service industry to save the equivalent energy of 390 million light bulbs a year.
At a glance: new projects under the €396 million of EU funding
Nature and biodiversity
29 nature and biodiversity projects, with a total budget close to €211 million (of which the EU will contribute around €140 million) will restore freshwater, marine and coastal ecosystems, and habitats; improve the conservation status of birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals; enhance governance; and support the implementation and compliance with relevant EU legislation such as the Birds and Habitats Directives and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Doing so, they will equally contribute to the EU's implementation of the Kunming/Montreal Global Biodiversity Agreement.
Circular economy and quality of life
LIFE projects will mobilise over €298 million, of which the EU will provide over €94 million to contribute to circular economy and improve the quality of life.
A total of 36 projects will focus on water use, electrical waste, chemicals, air and noise pollution to help improving the quality of life for EU citizens and developing technologies to support the Circular Economy Action Plan.
Furthermore, five projects will enhance environmental governance and information by empowering consumers to live toxic-free lives and making sustainable food choices, and by supporting municipalities to adopt best practices in waste management and to implement the Green City Accord. The EU will contribute around €6 million for a total project budget of nearly €10 million.
Climate change mitigation and adaptation
In total, 34 projects worth about €110 million (in which the EU will provides around EUR 65 million) will contribute to climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and climate governance and information related to climate change impacts. They will boost the implementation of the European Climate Law and the EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change Strategy by facilitating the shift towards a climate-neutral, sustainable and resilient European economy.
These projects address, among others, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions; carbon removals in agricultural and forest lands; sustainable food systems; renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements; climate-friendly alternatives to fluorinated greenhouse gases; climate adaptation in urban and rural areas, as well as greater preparedness for extreme weather events such as heatwaves and floods.
Clean energy transition
67 projects with a total budget of more than €102 million (of which the EU provides around €97 million) will improve market and regulatory conditions in the EU for the clean energy transition, notably promoting and rolling out energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy solutions.
These projects support the implementation of the energy efficiency and renewable energy policies set out in the REPowerEU plan and the Fit for 55 package, as well as the overarching Energy Union objectives.
Over its 31 years of existence, the LIFE Programme has co-financed more than 6 000 environmental and climate action projects across the EU and associated countries. The 171 projects announced today were selected from more than 751 applications, submitted under the LIFE 2022 call for proposals, published in May 2022.
The European Commission has increased funding for the LIFE Programme by almost 60% for the 2021 - 2027 period, bringing it to €5.43 billion. The grants financed under the LIFE Programme are managed by CINEA - European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency.
Project summaries
LIFE Programme for environment and climate action
This year’s LIFE projects are more ambitious than ever. As we continue to face the climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss crises, the LIFE Programme is a living proof of our commitment to move from ambition to action and create a real difference for EU citizens with projects that will accelerate the green transition, improve our daily lives and preserve our natural ecosystems.
Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries - 14/11/2023
Climate and nature are intertwined. Our soils, oceans and forests are the biggest carbon sinks we have, and healthy nature can keep us cool on a warming planet. With the weather extremes our world is experiencing, more projects on climate adaptation and mitigation are paramount . When I see what LIFE projects have already achieved in the EU and participating countries and the impact they will have in the future, I am optimistic that we have the tools to bring real change on the ground.
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate Action - 14/11/2023
EU is providing additional €110 million in humanitarian aid to support Ukrainians affected by the war
As Russia's war against Ukraine continues, the humanitarian situation in the country remains dire. The onset of winter poses further challenges to the already vulnerable communities impacted by the war.
The Commission is therefore allocating €110 million in humanitarian aid of which €100 million will go to operations in Ukraine and €10 million to support Ukrainian refugees and host communities in Moldova. This new funding will help the EU's humanitarian partners to provide essential services like cash assistance, food, water, shelter, healthcare, psychosocial support and protection.
The latest allocation brings the total for EU humanitarian aid in response to Russia's war in Ukraine to €843 million.
In light of last year's deliberate attacks by Russia on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the EU is also prioritising emergency energy support by deploying a further 84 power generators from its rescEU strategic reserves. Overall, more than 5,000 power generators have been sent to Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. In addition, the EU is coordinating donations from the private sector to deliver crucial energy equipment to Ukraine.
Russia's war against Ukraine has led the country to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. In response, the EU has mobilised all its available resources to provide emergency assistance to Ukraine.
Via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, all 27 EU countries, plus Norway, Türkiye, North Macedonia, Iceland, and Serbia, have offered in-kind assistance ranging from medical supplies and shelter items to vehicles and energy equipment. So far, 97 000 tonnes of assistance has been delivered to Ukraine via the Mechanism. In addition, the EU has deployed its rescEU strategic reserves to deliver much-needed supplies to Ukraine.
Since February 2022, the European Commission has allocated €843 million for humanitarian aid programmes to help civilians affected by the war in Ukraine. This includes €785 million for Ukraine and €58 million for refugees that have fled to neighbouring Moldova.
EU-funded humanitarian assistance is provided in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. It is delivered through the UN humanitarian agencies, non-governmental organisations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, as well as many local aid organisations partnering with them.
More information:
EU civil protection and humanitarian aid in Ukraine
EU humanitarian aid in Moldova
rescEU
EU Civil Protection Mechanism
Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC)
Channelling aid donations to Ukrainians
As Russia’s missiles wreak havoc in Ukraine, the humanitarian community must be ready to assist the most vulnerable people affected during harsh winter months. The EU is reinforcing its humanitarian funding in Ukraine with an additional €100 million, while providing €10 million to support Ukrainian refugees and their host communities in Moldova. Our commitment to the people of Ukraine remains as strong as ever.
Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management - 14/11/2023
The European Innovation Council has approved €1 billion in deep tech venture investments in one year
Today, the Commission announced that nearly €1 billion of investments in deep tech companies have been approved by the European Innovation Council (EIC) Fund since the Fund started its operations in September 2022. The EIC Fund is the venture investment arm of the European Innovation Council, which was launched under Horizon Europe to support breakthrough technologies and innovations. In just over one year, 159 start-ups and SMEs, all selected under the EIC Accelerator programme, have had their investments approved. By reaching this €1 billion milestone, the EIC consolidates its position as the investor of choice for European deep tech companies.
Under the EIC programme, companies are selected following a rigorous evaluation process by external experts and thorough due diligence by the European Investment Bank, who acts as investment adviser to the EIC Fund. Following investment approvals, companies typically have up to 12 months to find co-investors with the support of the EIC. 71 companies have already completed this process and attracted co-investments worth a multiple of 3 times the amount of EIC Fund investments. The majority of companies also receive grant support of up to €2.5 million and access to expertise, partnerships and market opportunities through the EIC business acceleration services.
Among the companies to have benefitted from EIC investments are:
Furthermore, on 30 October the EIC announced the results of the latest EIC Accelerator call, with an additional 47 companies selected for EIC support worth €349 million of which €236 million is earmarked for investments through the EIC Fund. This takes the total number of companies selected by the EIC Accelerator since its launch under the Horizon Europe programme in 2021 to 493. Over 1000 companies submitted their proposals for the last EIC Accelerator cut-off on 8 November and will now enter the highly competitive selection phase.
The EIC Accelerator offers start-ups and SMEs grants of up to €2.5 million combined with equity investments through the EIC Fund ranging from €0.5 to €15 million or more. In addition to financial support, all projects benefit from a range of business acceleration services that provide access to leading expertise, corporates, investors and ecosystem actors. Start-ups and SMEs can apply at any time to the EIC Accelerator with short applications, and if successful are invited to prepare full applications to submit to one of the regular cut-off dates. The EIC Accelerator cut-offs for 2024 are due to be announced shortly in the EIC work programme.
The EIC Fund invests across all technologies and verticals, and all EU countries and countries associated to Horizon Europe. The EIC Fund is managed by an independent fund manager with the EIB as investment adviser. It aims to fill a critical financing gap and its main purpose is to support companies in the development and commercialisation of disruptive technologies, bridging with and crowding in market players. It helps to share risk by building a large network of capital providers and strategic partners suitable for co-investments and follow-on funding. This is one of the key-objectives of the New European Innovation Agenda launched in 2022, in its flagship area on “funding deep tech innovation”.
EIC Accelerator
EIC Fund
New European Innovation Agenda
The European Innovation Council stands as the cornerstone of Europe's innovation landscape. It's a launchpad for revolutionary technologies and transformative innovations. I am pleased to witness it meeting its goals. We are empowering Europe's brightest start-ups to grow, secure investments and emerge as global frontrunners in technologies pivotal for Europe’s journey towards a greener, digitally advanced future.
Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth - 14/11/2023
Joint Statement by Commissioner for Climate Action and the COP28 President Designate
EU Climate Commissioner and Chief COP28 Negotiator Wopke Hoekstra met with COP28 President Designate Dr Sultan Al Jaber to discuss the preparations for COP28, which will take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 30 November to 12 December.
They underscored their shared conviction that COP28 must accelerate practical action on mitigation, adaptation, loss and damage and climate finance and build a fully inclusive COP28 that leaves no one behind.
They reconfirmed their commitment to work together to facilitate the highest possible ambition at this year's UNFCCC conference, and agreed on the importance of several critical elements that could frame an ambitious COP28 outcome:
Commissioner Hoekstra and Dr Sultan reemphasised that the depth and breadth of the UAE and EU relations and the trust established over decades of partnership are critical to our ability to work together and achieve our collective effort of an ambitious outcome at COP28.
Both parties emphasised that COP28 is a critical opportunity to show unity and restore faith in multilateralism in a world that is polarised through a positive, action-oriented engagement and outcomes.
European Commission and European Court of Auditors: College to College meeting
The Colleges of the European Commission and the European Court of Auditors met today in Bruxelles for the annual meeting between the two EU institutions.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continuing their constructive cooperation as the EU's executive and audit powers, while at the same time exploring ways to deepen their cooperation in full respect of their respective roles. The members of the Commission and the Court of Auditors discussed how the EU budget contributes to the achievement of the EU's ambitious priorities.
President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen said: “The Court of Auditors has a fundamental role in safeguarding the EU budget ensuring financial responsibility for the benefit of citizens, businesses, municipalities, and beneficiaries across Europe. The Commission is committed to ensure that every euro of our EU budget is well spent while addressing the multifaced challenges we are facing today."
President von der Leyen and President Murphy underlined the critical importance of NextGenerationEU for the European recovery, resilience and the twin green and digital transitions, as well as for transforming the EU economy.
They reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring that EU funds are managed in accordance with the highest standards of accountability, transparency and sound financial management. Furthermore, they reiterated the importance of common efforts in safeguarding the financial interests of the EU.
The Commission plays a crucial role in shaping EU policy and overseeing the utilisation and allocation of EU funds. As the EU budget continues to grow in scope and complexity, so do the associated budgetary risks, presenting challenges in maintaining sound financial management and the effectiveness of public interventions. Through its independent and professional audit work, the ECA will continue to focus on issues that directly impact the well-being of EU citizens and respond to current and future challenges facing the EU.
Tony Murphy, President of the European Court of Auditors (ECA) - 13/11/2023
The European Commission is committed to personal data protection. Any personal data is processed in line with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. All personal information processed by the Directorate-General for Communication / European Commission Representations is treated accordingly. If you do not work for a media organisation, you are welcome to contact the EU through Europe Direct in writing or by calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11.
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