Brussels, 19 January 2024
EU grants access to funding for Montenegro under the EU4Health programme
Today, Commission and the Government of the Republic of Montenegro will sign an agreement associating Montenegro to the EU4Health programme, which will enable the country's health system to better respond to immediate needs and contribute to long-term recovery. With the entry into force of the agreement, Montenegrin health authorities and the wider health community can fully benefit from the EU funding opportunities under the programme, on equal footing with EU Member States, Norway, Iceland, Moldova and Ukraine. Discussions are ongoing with several other countries.
Starting from 1 January 2024, both public and private health sector entities in Montenegro will be able to access funding opportunities through various channels such as open calls, direct grants, and joint actions. These include critical areas such as improving cancer diagnosis, treatment and care, contributing to the European Health Data Space, developing strategies for medicine stockpiling, bolstering mental health services, addressing non-communicable diseases and initiatives tackling cross-border health threats.
Read more about the program here.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “I warmly welcome today's agreement, through which Montenegro will be able to strengthen its healthcare sector across the board with EU support through the EU4Health programme. It represents the EU's commitment to fortifying ties with Montenegro in the area of health for a better and stronger future for the country's citizens.”
(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 2 296 22 53 – Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: +32 2 298 73 48)
Commissioner Kyriakides in Strasbourg for a meeting of the former Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
The Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides, following an invitation by the President of the Assembly Mr. Tiny Kox, will attend a meeting of former Presidents of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. During the meeting, which will take place on Sunday 21 January, Commissioner Kyriakides will have the opportunity to brief them on the European Health Union project and the series of initiatives that have been undertaken in the past four years. Furthermore the future of this organization is expected to be debated, on the basis of the Declaration adopted at the 4th Reykjavik Summit of the heads of government of the 46 member states of the Council of Europe.
The 20th edition of the Music Moves Europe Awards celebrates new talents
Five promising European musical groups won the Music Moves Europe Awards 2024 yesterday at the Eurosonic festival in Groningen, the Netherlands. Selected from 15 nominees by a jury of experts, Yunè Pinku (Ireland), Bulgarian Cartrader (Bulgaria), Giift (Denmark), freekind. (Slovenia) and Ralphie Choo (Spain) came out on top in the 2024 edition, which also marked the 20th awards ceremony. Furthermore, Zaho de Sagazan (France) received the prestigious Grand Jury Prize and also won the People's Choice Award as she received the highest number of online votes from music enthusiasts in Europe and the rest of the world. With the Music Moves Europe Awards, the EU supports emerging talents, promotes and celebrates the richness of European repertoire. These awards, which support emerging talents and celebrate the richness of European repertoire, are part of the broader framework of Music Moves Europe. This framework sets out EU support for the music industry in recognition of the sector's major cultural, economic and social contributions. Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: “The Music Moves Europe Awards resonate with the vibrant heart of our continent, amplifying the diverse melodies that define our cultural symphony . These awards shine a spotlight on a new generation of exceptional musicians and support them on their journey to international careers, while celebrating our European cultural diversity, united by the universal language of music. I wish all participants of the competition every success in their future careers.”
The European Prize for Popular and Contemporary Music is co-financed by the Creative Europe programme. It recognizes the success of emerging artists who have reached audiences outside their own countries. Each winner of the Music Moves Europe Award receives a prize of €10,000 and the winner of the Grand Jury Prize also receives a green tour voucher worth €5,000. The People's Choice winner is rewarded with €5,000. Past winners include Adèle, Stromae, Dua Lipa, Inhaler, Rosalía, Meduza, Lous and the Yakuza ou Naaz.
(For more information: Johanna Bernsel — Tel.: + 32 2 298 66 99; Flore Boutier - Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)
Antitrust: Commission seeks feedback on commitments offered by Apple over practices related to Apple Pay
The European Commission invites comments on commitments offered by Apple to address competition concerns over access restrictions to a standard technology used for contactless payments with mobile devices in stores (Near-Field Communication – ‘NFC').
The Commission preliminary found that Apple enjoys significant market power in the market for smart mobile devices and a dominant position on mobile wallet markets. Apple Pay is the only mobile wallet solution that may access the necessary hardware and software (‘NFC input') on iOS to enable mobile payments in physical stores. Apple does not make it available to third-party mobile wallet app developers.
On 2 May 2022, the Commission informed Apple of its preliminary view that such exclusionary conduct may restrict competition in the market for mobile wallets on iOS devices, in breach of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (‘TFEU').
To address the Commission's competition concerns, Apple has offered a number of commitments, which would remain in force for ten years.
The Commission invites all interested parties to submit their views on Apple's proposed commitments within one month from the publication of a summary of the proposed commitments in the EU's Official Journal. The full text of the commitments will be available on the Commission's competition website.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel.: +32 2 295 62 98; Sara Simonini - Tel.: +32 2 298 33 67)
Commissioner Breton in Lithuania and Estonia to discuss the defence industrial strategy
Today, Commissioner Breton is travelling to Lithuania and Estonia to discuss the future EU defence industrial strategy with members of their governments.
This morning, the Commissioner will meet the President of the Republic of Lithuania, Gitanas Nausėda and the Prime Minister, Ingrida Šimonytė.
Then, the second part of the visit will take place in Estonia where the Commissioner will discuss with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.
These exchanges are part of the broader consultation on the upcoming European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) involving Member States, the European Parliament, the defence industry, financial players and other relevant stakeholders.
The industrial strategy, and the defence industrial programme which will accompany it, aim to ensure a long-term and structural strengthening of the European defence industrial base to continue both to provide military support to Ukraine and to ensure the security of Member States.
CALENDAR
Monday 22 January
President Ursula von der Leyen in Berlin, Germany: attends the funeral service of Mr Wolfgang Schäuble, former President of the Bundestag, in the Berlin Cathedral and the State funeral ceremony in the Bundestag; delivers an address at the WELT Economic Forum.
Mr Margaritis Schinas participates in the EPP Foreign Affairs Minister meeting; delivers a keynote speech at the 5th meeting of the working group on the implementation of the EU Strategy on Combating Antisemitism and Fostering Jewish Life; receives Sameh Shoukry, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Egypt; meets with Yisrael Katz, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Israël.
Tuesday 23 January
President Ursula von der Leyen in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte and Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic: meets with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency; meets with Borjana Krišto, Chairwoman of the Council of Ministers, meets with the Joint Collegium of the Bosnia and Herzegovina Parliamentary Assembly; meets with representatives of the civil society.
Ms Margrethe Vestager participates in the New Year reception held by His Majesty Philippe, King of the Belgians, in Laeken, with Mr Thierry Breton, Mrs Stella Kyriakides, Mr Virginijus Sinkevičius and Mr Wopke Hoekstra; receives Mr. Geoffrey van Leeuwen, Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation.
Mr Margaritis Schinas delivers opening remarks at the Holocaust Remembrance Conference.
Ms Stella Kyriakides receives the Mayor of Nicosia, Mr Constantinos Yiorkadjis.
Wednesday 23 January
President Ursula von der Leyen hosts the New Year reception of the European Commission
Mr Margaritis Schinas participates in the Holocaust Remembrance Day event ‘Holocaust Denial and Distortion'; delivers closing remarks at the ICMPD conference ‘A Holistic Approach for Balanced Migration Partnerships'; receives Jan Ruzizcka, Chief External Affairs Officer at PPF Group.
Ms Stella Kyriakides delivers a keynote speech via video message at the 100th Anniversary Event of the World Organisation for Animal Health, organised by the Belgian Presidency.
Thursday 24 January
President Ursula von der Leyen in Hamburg, Germany (until 26/01): delivers the ceremonial address at the Hamburg Citizens' Prize Ceremony.
Mr Margaritis Schinas participates to the Solemn ceremony on the occasion of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day at the European Paliament; receives Konstantinos Kenanidis, Secretary General of the representation of the Orthodox Church in the EU; delivers a lecture at the European Knee Society conference.
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus (until 26/01): meets with the Health Committee of the Cyprus House of Representatives.
Friday 25 January
President Ursula von der Leyen in Hamburg, Germany: delivers a speech at the Hamburg Climate Summit.
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: delivers a speech and has exchange with students of the English School; delivers a keynote speech via video message at the Coolfood Summit ‘The Business of Taking a Bite Out of City Emissions' which be held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Athanasios ATHANASIOU
Press Officer / Political Reporter
European Commission
Representation in Cyprus
EU House, 30 Vyronos Avenue, 1096 Nicosia
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Twitter: @aathans