EUROPEAN COMMISSION
DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 17 May 2024
Commission welcomes new sanctions against disinformation and war propaganda
The Commission welcomes the Council decision to suspend the broadcasting activities of four more media outlets (Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia and Rossiyskaya Gazeta) in the EU or directed at the EU, in view of their role supporting and justifying Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Russia has engaged in continuous and concerted propaganda as well as information manipulation actions targeted at civil society in the EU and neighbouring countries, gravely distorting and manipulating facts. These propaganda actions have been channelled through a number of media outlets under the permanent direct or indirect control of the leadership of the Russian Federation. Such actions constitute a significant and direct threat to the Union's public order and security.
The risk to our democratic societies – and the integrity of the upcoming European as well as national elections – has intensified. Today's measures are a forceful response to that.
The sanctions do not target freedom of opinion. They include specific safeguards for freedom of expression and journalistic activities. The measures do not prevent the sanctioned outlets and their staff from carrying out other activities in the Union other than broadcasting, such as research and interviews.
The measures should be maintained until the aggression against Ukraine is put to an end, and until the Russian Federation and its associated outlets cease to conduct disinformation and information manipulation actions against the EU and its Member States.
Background information
More information on sanctions
Factsheet on the impact of sanctions
Related topics
Banking and financial services
Ukraine
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Commission welcomes new sanctions against disinformation
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Contacts for media
Lea ZUBER
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Marta PEREZ-CEJUELA ROMERO
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CALENDAR
Monday 20 May
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Thessaloniki, Greece: delivers a speech at the general assembly of the Greek exporters association.
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: delivers a keynote speech at the Green Agenda Cyprus Summit.
Tuesday 21 May
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Serres, Greece: receives the Doctorat honoris cause from the international Hellenic university.
Wednesday 22 May
Mr Margaritis Schinas delivers introductory remarks at the EU Cyber Skills Academy high level roundtable.
Ms Stella Kyriakides receives Dr. Sumbul Desai, Vice-President of Health at Apple.
Thursday 23 May
Mr Margaritis Schinas participates in the Forum Europa organised by the New Economy Forum.
EU mobilises assistance for Gaza via Cyprus Maritime Corridor
A new aid shipment from Cyprus to Gaza via the Maritime Corridor and the newly constructed US pier is taking place today, carrying EU supplies. Through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, Romania is sending more than 88,000 cans of food to Palestinians in need. The Commission covers the transport costs of this delivery. An EU logistics hub in Cyprus has also been set up to help handle the further flow of assistance to Gaza.
The EU's Emergency Response Coordination Centre remains in close contact with Member States and humanitarian partners to mobilise offers of assistance via the Maritime Corridor with a view to increasing aid supplies.
This new maritime aid delivery comes on top of the over 2,000 metric tonnes channelled already by EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights and the €193 million in EU humanitarian funding allocated for Palestinians in need this year.
The maritime corridor is complementary to, and not intended to replace, existing land routes to Gaza, such as through the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings. The EU calls on Israel to grant sustained access using new routes such as through the Erez crossing and through use of the port of Ashdod.
Background
This first EU shipment using the US-constructed pier follows the joint announcement made on 8 March 2024, by the European Commission, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, expressing their intent to open a maritime corridor to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza by sea.
On 28 March 2024, UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag requested assistance for Gaza under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism including through the Cyprus Maritime Corridor.
Quote(s)
I welcome the support of Cyprus through an EU logistics hub established there and the readiness of Romania to participate in this first shipment of EU aid via the new US pier. The EU will continue to do its utmost to alleviate the suffering of civilians in Gaza. However, it is evident that there is no meaningful substitute to land routes via Egypt and Jordan and entry points from Israel into Gaza for aid delivery at scale. The maritime corridor can only be part of a sustained effort to surge humanitarian aid and commercial commodities into Gaza through all possible routes. In line with its obligations under International Humanitarian Law, I call on Israel to expand deliveries by land and to immediately open additional crossings to get more aid into and throughout Gaza unimpededly.
Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management
Humanitarian aid and civil protection
Assistance for Gaza via Cyprus Maritime Corridor
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Balazs UJVARI
+32 2 295 45 78
balazs.ujvari@ec.europa.eu
Daniel PUGLISI
+32 2 296 91 40
daniel.puglisi@ec.europa.eu
New EU rules criminalising the violation of EU sanctions enter into force
As from 19 May, new rules to harmonise criminal offences and penalties for the violation of EU restrictive measures enter into force. The new rules will ensure that such violations can be criminally investigated and prosecuted in all Member States. They include a list of criminal offences related to the violation and circumvention of EU sanctions, such as for example: failing to freeze assets; breaching travel bans and arms embargoes; providing prohibited or restricted economic and financial services, transferring funds that should be frozen to a third party or providing false information to conceal funds that should be frozen.
The new rules also establish common basic standards for penalties for both natural and legal persons in all Member States, closing existing legal loopholes and increasing the deterrent effect of violating EU sanctions in the first place. They will also include enhanced rules on freezing and confiscation of proceeds and assets subject to EU sanctions. Furthermore, the new rules will strengthen the cooperation and communication between the competent authorities in a Member State and among Member States in the Union.
Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, said: “With Putin continuing his illegal aggression against Ukraine, it is paramount that EU sanctions are fully implemented and the violation of those measures is punished. In addition, the new rules will also make it easier for Member States to confiscate some of the frozen assets of people and companies that support the war. Member States should now swiftly transpose the new rules and make them work in practice.”
In May 2022, the Commission proposed to add the violation of EU restrictive measures to the list of EU crimes. At the same time, the Commission proposed new reinforced rules on asset recovery and confiscation, which will also contribute to the implementation of EU restrictive measures. By strengthening the law enforcement's capacities to identify and confiscate illegal property, the Directive will limit the capacity of criminals to maintain and expand their criminal activities to corrupt authorities and infiltrate the economy. The two initiatives are linked to the activities of the ‘Freeze and Seize' Task Force, set up by the Commission in March 2022, and will contribute to the enforcement of EU sanctions.
Member States have until the 20 May 2025 to transpose the Directive into their national law. More information can be found here.
(For more information: Christian Wigand — Tel.: + 32 2 296 22 53; Cristina Torres Castillo — Tel.: + 32 2 299 06 79)
Commission compels Microsoft to provide information under the Digital Services Act on generative AI risks on Bing
Today, the Commission steps up its enforcement actions against Microsoft: after not having received an answer to its request for information from 14 March regarding specific risks stemming from Bing's generative AI features, notably “Copilot in Bing” and “Image Creator by Designer”, the company now has until 27 May to provide the requested information to the Commission.
With today's legally binding request for information, the Commission is asking Bing to provide internal documents and data that were not disclosed in Bing's previous response. The request for information is based on the suspicion that Bing may have breached the DSA for risks linked to generative AI, such as so-called ‘hallucinations', the viral dissemination of deepfakes, as well as the automated manipulation of services that can mislead voters. Under the DSA, designates services, including Bing, must carry out an adequate risk assessment and adopt respective risk mitigation measures (Art 34 and 35 of the DSA). Generative AI is one of the risks identified by the Commission in its guidelines on the integrity of electoral processes, in particular for the upcoming elections to the European Parliament in June.
In case Bing fails to reply within the deadline, the Commission may impose fines up to 1% of the provider's total annual income or worldwide turnover and periodic penalties up to 5% of the provider's average daily income or worldwide annual turnover. The Commission can also impose fines up to 1% of the provider's total annual income or worldwide turnover for incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information in response to a request for information.
Following its designation as Very Large Online Search Engine, Bing is required to comply with the full set of provisions introduced by the DSA. In this particular case, the Commission considers that the suspected violations of the DSA may present risks linked to civic discourse and electoral processes. According to Article 67(3) of the DSA, the Commission is empowered to request, by decision, further information to Bing relating to suspected infringements.
A request for information is an investigatory act that does not prejudge potential further steps the Commission may or may not decide to take. Based on the assessment of the replies, the Commission will assess the next steps. This could entail the opening of formal proceedings, pursuant to Article 66 of the DSA.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke — Tel.: +32 2 295 86 15; Thomas Regnier — Tel.: +32 2 299 10 99)
Unsustainable exports of waste from the EU to stop as new regulation enters into force
On Monday, the new Waste Shipments Regulation will enter into force, setting out stricter rules on the export of waste to non-EU countries. The new regulation will support the circular economy and ensure that waste exported from the European Union is treated in an environmentally sustainable way. It will increase traceability and facilitate the shipments of waste for recycling in the EU and beyond.
Under the new Regulation, as of May 2027, exports of EU waste to non-OECD countries will for instance only be allowed if these countries inform the European Commission that they are willing to import waste and demonstrate that they have the ability to manage it in a sustainable manner. The Commission will also monitor waste exports to OECD countries and take action if such exports create environmental problems in the country of destination.
The new Regulation also provides for stronger enforcement and cooperation in fighting waste trafficking, one of the most serious types of environmental crime. It will complement the new Environmental Crime Directive, which will also enter into force on Monday.
Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said: “The new regulation on waste shipments will ensure that when the EU exports waste, this waste arrives at destinations where it can be managed sustainably and support a clean and circular economy. The new regulation is an important part of the green transition in which waste will be more and more turned into valuable resources. It will make shipments smooth, easier and digital, facilitating the growth of the recycling industry and reducing pollution from bad management and illegal trafficking of waste.”
More information is available online.
(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: + 32 2 295 31 56; Maëlys Dreux – Tel.: +32 2 295 46 73)
New Environmental Crime Directive comes into force
New rules to protect the environment through criminal law will enter into force on May 20.
The new Environmental Crime Directive will help achieve European Green Deal objectives by fighting against the most serious environmental offences, which can have devastating effects on both the environment and human health, through means of criminal law.
The new Directive will provide for a comprehensive and up-to-date list of environmental offences addressing the most serious breaches of environmental obligations. Member States will have to ensure that these breaches constitute criminal offences in their national law.
The new Directive introduces several new offence categories, such as unlawful ship recycling, unlawful water abstraction, serious breaches of EU chemicals and mercury legislation, serious breaches related to dealing with fluorinated greenhouse gases, and serious breaches of legislation on invasive alien species.
In addition, Member States will be obliged to establish qualified offences, subject to more severe penalties where one of the offences defined in the Directive leads to serious widespread and substantial damage or destruction of the environment.
The Directive also defines concrete types and levels of penalties for natural and legal persons, a huge step forward to ensure a deterrent effect across the EU.
The new rules further include provisions on strengthening the enforcement chain to combat environmental crime. Practitioners combating environmental offences shall have access to sufficient resources and appropriate training. The new Environmental Crime Directive will also ensure support and assistance to environmental defenders in criminal proceedings.
Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius, said:
This landmark law is the first of its kind. It will ensure that the most severe breaches of environmental rules are considered as crimes and that the key role of environmental defenders is acknowledged. It will also give law enforcement authorities and the judiciary the tools to act effectively against environmental crimes across the Union.”
Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, said:
“Environmental obligations are designed to protect the delicate and fragile ecosystems that we rely on to survive. Those who breach such obligations put our health and our environment at risk. It is every bit as criminal a behaviour as other types of serious crimes, and therefore every bit as deserving to lead to criminal sentencing. These new rules are a major leap forward to ensure appropriate accountability for environmental crimes.”
Statement of President von der Leyen, Executive Vice-President Šefčovič and Commissioner Simson on the 2nd anniversary of the REPowerEU Plan to phase out Russian fossil fuel imports
When Russia invaded Ukraine, and turned its energy resources into an economic weapon against Europe, our reaction was rapid and robust. We adopted the REPowerEU Plan to end Europe's dependency on Russian fossil fuels.
Two years later, the results of our collective efforts are clear to all. We have made a massive cut in Russian energy imports, squeezing the Kremlin's war economy and standing in solidarity with our Ukrainian friends. We have worked with reliable international partners to replace Russian imports where needed, including through joint purchasing under the EU Energy Platform. We have strived together as Europeans to reduce our energy demand, and we have invested to accelerate the replacement of imported fossil fuels with home-grown renewable energy. These efforts have resulted in an unprecedented roll-out of renewable energy and a historic realignment of our energy supplies.
When Russia's actions drove a sharp increase in energy prices in the summer of 2022, we agreed a wide range of measures to secure our energy supply and to stabilise the markets. Prices are now back around pre-war levels.
We have broken our energy dependency on Russia, and Putin's pipelines are no longer a tool of blackmail against Europe.
We have truly REPowered Europe, redrawn the energy landscape, and made a big step forward on Europe's green transformation.
Now, we are pressing ahead with our efforts to completely phase out Russian fossil fuel imports, and to provide more secure, clean and affordable energy to European citizens and to strengthen the competitiveness of our industries.
Energy
European Green Deal
2nd anniversary of the REPowerEU Plan
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Tim McPHIE
+ 32 2 295 86 02
tim.mcphie@ec.europa.eu
Giulia BEDINI
+32 2 295 86 61
giulia.bedini@ec.europa.eu
Ana CRESPO PARRONDO
+32 2 298 13 25
ana.crespo-parrondo@ec.europa.eu
Joint statement by European Commission Executive Vice-President Šefčovič and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron
The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) today held a meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Partnership Council, welcoming their close cooperation at a time of threats and challenges to European peace.
The Joint Committee took note of the state of play of the implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement since the last meeting and the work ahead, focussing on citizens' rights and the Windsor Framework.
On citizens' rights, both Parties reiterated their commitment to ensure the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement, as this continues to be a key shared priority. In that spirit, the EU and the UK welcomed the cooperation until now and agreed that their joint work should intensify further with a view to finding solutions to outstanding issues, with the aim to ensure that all beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement can fully enjoy their rights.
The Joint Committee also addressed the Windsor Framework. The co-chairs welcomed the restoration of the political institutions in Northern Ireland in February 2024. The EU and the UK noted the progress made in the implementation of the Windsor Framework, which has already delivered significant benefits for people and businesses in Northern Ireland, across many areas.
They also discussed a number of outstanding challenges and upcoming milestones, and agreed that intensive work should continue with renewed efforts and commitment to ensure the full implementation of all the elements of the Windsor Framework in a faithful and timely way.
The Joint Committee adopted decisions on implementation of the Windsor Framework, including to allow businesses in Northern Ireland to benefit from UK tariff rate quotas for specific agri-food products, whilst protecting the EU Single Market.
The Partnership Council took stock of progress in implementing the TCA since the last meeting, including the association of the UK to Horizon Europe and Copernicus and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on financial services regulatory cooperation. The co-chairs welcomed the intensive activity of the joint bodies established under the TCA which resulted in more than 25 formal meetings last year.
On climate and energy, they exchanged on cooperation on new technologies to facilitate the green transition. The co-chairs committed to work towards a working group on security of supply and a roadmap to oversee work on efficient electricity trading arrangements envisaged by the TCA.
In the area of trade and level playing field they welcomed the upcoming negotiations on the competition cooperation agreement and called for a regular exchange of information on market surveillance of non-food products. They also discussed the UK “Border Target Operating Model”.
On health security, the co-chairs called for strengthened cooperation between the European Centre for Disease Control and the UK Health Security Agency and invited them to continue work towards a joint action plan.
The Partnership Council also discussed recent UK measures in the area of fisheries and the EU raised access to waters post-2026.
They noted progress over the past year in the area of security, including work on counter-terrorism and cyber. They discussed their commitments in respect of law enforcement and judicial cooperation under the TCA. The co-chairs agreed to progress technical work to allow for automated searching of vehicle registration data.
The co-chairs agreed that the joint bodies under the TCA should work at pace to take forward the implementation priorities identified today. They reaffirmed their commitment to fully exploiting the potential the TCA has to offer.
Joint statement EVP Šefčovič UK Foreign Secretary Cameron
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Joint Statement on the progress of the EU-UK Agreement in respect of Gibraltar
European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels on Thursday 16 May.
This was the second meeting in this format, building on significant progress of 12 April. Today's discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with important breakthroughs and additional areas of agreement. All sides are reassured that the agreement is getting closer and will work closely and rapidly on outstanding areas towards an overall EU-UK agreement.
The meeting reaffirmed their shared commitment to concluding an EU-UK Agreement to bring confidence, legal certainty and stability to the lives and livelihoods of the people of the whole region, by protecting and improving economy, trade, mobility, environment, and social wellbeing, while safeguarding all parties' legal positions.
They all agreed to remain in close and constant contact.
Joint Statement on the progress EU-UK Agreement Gibraltar
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Saul GOULDING
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saul.goulding@ec.europa.eu
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Athanasios ATHANASIOU
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