Daily News 12 / 10 / 2016 - Hoofdinhoud
European Agenda on Security: First report on progress towards an effective and genuine Security Union
Today the European Commission is presenting the first in a series of monthly reports on progress made towards an effective and genuine Security Union. The report outlines the Commission's efforts in the fight against terrorism, organised crime and cybercrime and the work undertaken to strengthen the EU's resilience against these threats. It also highlights the priority areas where more work is needed and sets out concrete operational measures for the months to come. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos said: "The fragmentation of our security framework makes us all vulnerable. The dots have to be connected within and between Member States, but also between Member States and EU Agencies, and between the different security and border management systems. The internal security of one Member State is the internal security of all. In this rapidly changing security environment, delivering on a genuine and effective Security Union means delivering on all elements." Commissioner for the Security Union, Julian King said: "Terrorists don't target one Member State or another. They target our way of life, our openness, our future. Our response needs to be comprehensive and sustainable, building on trust and the effective cooperation between institutions and Member States." For more information a press release and factsheet are available online. (For more information: Natasha Bertaud - Tel.: +32 229 67456; Tove Ernst - Tel.: +32 229 86764; Markus Lammert - Tel.: +32 229 80423; Katarzyna Kolanko - Tel.: +32 229 63444)
La Commission se prépare à la fin des quotas sucriers dans un an
A l'invitation de la Commission, un groupe d'experts nationaux sur le marché du sucre s'est réuni hier conjointement avec le Groupe de Dialogue Civil composé des parties prenantes du secteur afin de préparer du mieux possible la transition vers la fin des quotas sucriers prévue en septembre 2017. La décision de supprimer les quotas sucriers a été prise en 2013 par les Etats Membres et le Parlement Européen après 49 ans d'existence. Lors du Conseil des Ministres de l'agriculture réuni lundi à Luxembourg, le Commissaire Hogan a dit: "La Commission attache une grande importance au secteur du sucre, non seulement en ce qui concerne la production alimentaire, mais également pour les emplois créés et l'approvisionnement en matières premières durables pour l'industrie chimique et énergétique. Le secteur sucrier nécessite un environnement réglementaire stable. C'est précisément pour cela que la fin des quotas, qui aura lieu dans un an exactement, a été soigneusement préparée." La Commission a, entre autres, lancé en mars 2015 un groupe d'experts nationaux sur le marché du sucre chargé de discuter de toutes les questions relatives au contexte post-quota. Un suivi accru des marchés est aussi essentiel pour accompagner les producteurs dans leur développement et adaptation. La Commission a lancé en début d'année 2016 un tableau de bord avec toutes les informations nécessaires à cet effet. Le secteur a d'ailleurs connu une restructuration en profondeur de 2006 à 2010 afin de devenir plus compétitif. Plus d'informations sur la réunion d'hier des experts nationaux et du Groupe de Dialogue Civil sont disponibles en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Daniel Rosario - Tel.: +32 229 56185; Clemence Robin - Tel.: +32 229 52509)
Commissioners Avramopoulos, Jourová and King attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council
Commissioners Dimitris Avramopoulos, Věra Jourová and Julian King will attend the Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting on 13-14 October 2016. On Thursday, Commissioner Avramopoulos will inform Home Affairs Ministers on the implementation and further roll-out of the European Border and Coast Guard, which was successfully launched on 6 October. A discussion on the progress made on information technology measures related to border management will take place in the presence of Commissioner Julian King. The Council will also discuss the state of play of the reform of the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), with a focus on Eurodac and the establishment of a European Union Agency for Asylum and hold a lunch discussion with Commissioner Avramopoulos on the state of play of the migratory situation and cooperation with third countries. On Thursday, the Council is also expected to adopt the Commission proposal for a Regulation on a European Travel Document on Return. On Friday, Commissioner Jourová will discuss with Justice Ministers the regulation on the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), in particular the inclusion of cross-border VAT fraud under the EPPO competences, and the directive on the protection of the financial interests of the Union by means of criminal law (PIF). Justice Ministers will also discuss how to best tackle hate crime in the EU and hold a lunch discussion on the fight against terrorism and cooperation with Eurojust attended by Commissioners Jourová and King. (For more information: Natasha Bertaud - Tel.: +32 229 67456; Tove Ernst - Tel.: +32 229 86764; Christian Wigand- Tel.: +32 229 62253)
Urban Agenda: new knowledge sources available for Europe's cities
To further reach out to cities, foster the exchange of best practices and the development of urban strategies, the Commission launches today a new web portal for cities. The "One-stop shop" portal provides up-to-date information on EU policies such as climate change adaptation, mobility or circular economy that directly impact cities and urban areas. Urban stakeholders can also get clear information on financing opportunities under the different EU funding instruments. It will help cities to address challenges, such as affordable housing, energy efficiency or accessibility, by making the most out of EU funding opportunities. The portal is complemented by the new Urban Data Platform, hosted by the Joint Research Centre and by the State of European Cities Report, released jointly with UN Habitat, the U.N. programme working towards a better urban future. A full press release is available here. This afternoon, European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maroš Šefčovič and Commissioner for Regional Policy Corina Crețu will present these new tools at a High Level Conference on the Urban Agenda for Europe, organised in the context of the European Week of Regions and Cities. (For more information: Jakub Adamowicz - Tel.: +32 229 50595; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr - Tel.: +32 229 56169)
La Commission dévoile les gagnants des RegioStars Awards 2016
Les noms des gagnants ont été révélés hier lors de la cérémonie organisée pendant la Semaine Européenne des Régions et des Villes. Chaque année les RegioStars Awards récompensent les meilleurs projets cofinancés par la politique de Cohésion. Le gagnant de la catégorie "Croissance Intelligente" est danois; il s'agit de "Copenhagen Cleantech Cluster". Dans la catégorie "Croissance durable", le portugais "Centro Bio: bio-industries, bio-raffineries and bio-produits" a été désigné vainqueur. Deux projets polonais ont gagné dans les catégories "Croissance Inclusive" et "City Star": respectivement "Académie d'Economie Sociale" et "Régénération du quartier de la basse-ville de Dantzig". Enfin, le gagnant de la catégorie "Meilleure Gestion" est lithuanien, il s'agit "Transparence Initiative Jonvabaliai (lucioles)". Lors de la cérémonie, un prix spécial du public a été décerné à "Circular Ocean", un projet de coopération interrégionale entre l'Irlande, la Norvège, le Royaume-Uni et le Groenland. Ces six gagnants ont été choisis parmi 104 candidats, et par un jury indépendants composés d'experts. "Ces projets d'excellence montrent toute la valeur ajoutée de la politique de Cohésion; j'espère qu'ils serviront d'exemples à travers l'Europe," a commenté la Commissaire à la politique régionale Corina Crețu. "Je suis heureuse de voir deux projets financés par le Fonds Social Européen parmi les gagnants. Je félicite les gagnants, mais aussi tous les gens qui transforment les fonds de l'UE en résultats concrets, et mettent en pratique la solidarité européenne chaque jour," a ajouté Marianne Thyssen, Commissaire à l'Emploi, affaires sociales, compétences et mobilité des travailleurs. Les descriptions des projets sont en ligne sur le site InfoRegio. (Pour plus d'informations: Jakub Adamowicz - Tel.: +32 229 50595; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr - Tel.: +32 229 56169)
Credit Rating Agencies: Commission adopts new rules on credit rating agencies
The EU framework for credit rating agencies, last amended in 2013, improves the transparency and objectivity of credit ratings and reduces the over-reliance on external credit ratings (CRAs Regulation, MEMO/13/571). In order to further enhance transparency in the credit rating industry, the Commission has adopted new rules to facilitate the use of ratings in the calculation of the capital requirements for banks and insurance companies. These rules are based on drafts submitted by the European Supervisory Authorities (ESAs). In particular, the Commission has adopted two Implementing Technical Standards (ITSs) that map the credit ratings scales used by CRAs to the risk weights categories under the Capital Requirement Regulation (CRR) and Solvency II Directive. The Commission amended the ESAs' drafts of these two ITSs to ensure a better balance between prudential concerns and the need to avoid further concentration on the credit rating market. The Commission has also adopted a third ITS to map the credit rating scales for securitisation positions under the banking legal framework. These standards have today been published in the Official Journal of the EU and enter into force on the twentieth day following their publication. For more information, see here.(For more information: Vanessa Mock - Tel.: +32 229 56194; Letizia Lupini - Tel.: +32 229 51958)
EUROSTAT: Août 2016 comparé à juillet 2016 - La production industrielle en hausse de 1,6% dans la zone euro, en hausse de 1,4% dans l'UE28
En août 2016 par rapport à juillet 2016, la production industrielle corrigée des variations saisonnières a augmenté de 1,6% dans la zone euro (ZE19) et de 1,4% dans l'UE28, selon les estimations d'Eurostat, l'office statistique de l'Union européenne. En juillet 2016, la production industrielle avait reculé de 0,7% dans les deux zones. En août 2016 par rapport à août 2015, la production industrielle a progressé de 1,8% dans les deux zones. Un communiqué de presse EUROSTAT est disponible en ligne. (Pour plus d'informations: Lucía Caudet - Tel.: +32 229 56182; Maria Sarantopoulou - Tel.: +32 229 13740)
EUROSTAT: Second quarter of 2016 compared with second quarter of 2015 - House prices up by 2.9% in the euro area, up by 4.0% in the EU
House prices, as measured by the House Price Index, rose by 2.9% in the euro area and by 4.0% in the EU in the second quarter of 2016 compared with the same quarter of the previous year. Compared with the first quarter of 2016, house prices rose by 1.4% in the euro area and by 1.6% in the EU in the second quarter of 2016. A full EUROSTAT press release is available online. (For more information: Lucía Caudet - Tel.: +32 229 56182; Maria Sarantopoulou - Tel.: +32 229 13740)
The Commission approves one Protected Geographical Indication from Thailand
The Commission has approved the addition of the third product from Thailand to the quality register of Protected Geographical Indications (PGI). 'ข้าวสังข์หยดเมืองพัทลุง' (Khao Sangyod Muang Phatthalung) is a rice from the Sangyod Phatthalung variety. It is sown, grown, harvested, milled, packaged and labelled in, and indigenous to, the province of Phatthalung in the south of Thailand. It can be paddy rice, brown rice and semi milled rice with colours ranging from light yellow to dark red. Khao Sangyod Muang Phatthalung has been grown in Phatthalung for over a hundred years. It is traditionally reserved to be given as a gift to respected senior people and cooked on special occasions, in religious ceremonies or traditional festivals. There are currently 26 geographical indications originating from third countries registered. These products benefit from the same protection and market added-value than EU protected products. These denominations will be added to the list of over 1,360 products already protected. More information: webpages on quality products and DOOR database of protected products. (For more information: Daniel Rosario - Tel: +32 229 56 185; Clémence Robin - Tel: +32 229 52 509)
European Commission appoints new Deputy Director-General in its Budget department
Today, the European Commission appointed Silvano Presa as Deputy Director-General in its Budget department (DG BUDG), effective as of 16 October. Mr Presa, an Italian national, spent most of his career in that department, gathering experience in a wide range of subjects. One important task in his current position of Director is to prepare the Commission's annual budgetary proposals and to participate in the budgetary negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council. This position allowed him to be involved in many key Commission policies. Mr Presa joined the Commission as an administrator in the Directorate-General for Economic and Financial affairs in 1985, where his work focussed on economic analysis of the internal market, trade, and cooperation with candidate countries. His vast experience makes Silvano Presa ideally suited to fill this newly created post where a key task will be to ensure the best possible interaction of the different budget programmes with financial instruments and Trust Funds, in view of enhancing their consistency, harmonisation and complementarity, while maximising their leverage. The new challenges the EU is facing, and the new strategies it is pursuing to meet them, call for such innovative tools and instruments. A complete press release for Mr Presa is available online, also in DE, FR and IT. (For more information: Alexander Winterstein - Tel.: +32 229 93265)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini attends the 21st ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok
On 13-14 October, the High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini will travel to Bangkok to attend the 21st Association of Southeast Asian Nations - European Union (ASEAN-EU) Ministerial Meeting (AEMM). Foreign Ministers from the European Union Member States and ASEAN countries, as well as the ASEAN Secretary-General will also take part. The meeting will take place at a time of increasingly close relations between the European Union and ASEAN, two leading examples of regional integration in the world. Discussions in Bangkok will primarily focus on identifying ways and means for the future upgrading and strengthening of EU-ASEAN relations, as also requested by the EU Foreign Affairs Council in its conclusions of 22 June 2015. Ahead of the visit, HR/VP Mogherini said: "Next year, our European Union and ASEAN will celebrate 40 years of our relations; 40 years during which we have come a very long way. Now is the time for an enhanced partnership between our two regions and I look forward to discussing this with the ASEAN Ministers in Bangkok later this week. There is a lot we can do together for the security, stability and prosperity of, first and foremost our people, of our regions, and also around the world." The 21st AEMM will be hosted by Thailand as current Country Coordinator for ASEAN's relations with the European Union. The 22nd ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting will take place in the European Union in 2018. A press conference is foreseen to take place after the Ministerial Meeting at 17h15 local time, and will be broadcast on EbS shortly afterwards. For more information on the EU's relations with and engagementin ASEAN, see the factsheet on the EU-ASEAN relations. (For more information: Maja Kocijancic - Tel.: +32 229 86560; Adam Kaznowski - Tel.: +32 229 89359)
Commissioner Arias Cañete in Kigali for talks on global phase-down of climate-warming gases
From 13-14 October, Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete will be in Kigali, Rwanda, for crucial negotiations on the global phase-down of climate-warming gases. Ozone-depleting substances such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are mainly used in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment. The International Community has agreed that the best way to address these potent greenhouse gases is to bring them within the scope of the Montreal Protocol, which has been successful in eliminating ozone-depleting substances. Commissioner Arias Cañete said: "We have a golden opportunity to take the first concrete action to deliver on the promises we made in Paris and prevent up to half a degree of warming by the end of the century. We must make the most of this unique chance to make a real difference and agree an ambitious HFC phasedown this week." Reaching an agreement would be a significant step forward in implementing the Paris Agreement on climate change which following the EU's ratification, will legally enter into force in November this year. The EU is already leading the world in taking action on HFCs, which are the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. The EU is pushing for the most ambitious agreement possible and Commissioner Arias Cañete will reach out to all Parties to find a feasible outcome that is satisfactory to all. In the margins of the meeting, the Commissioner will meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry, as well as high-level representatives from the host Rwanda, Brazil, China, the Gulf States, India, Iran and Pakistan. He will also meet with fellow ministers from the High Ambition Coalition - the alliance of developed and developing countries that helped shape the successful outcome in Paris − to see how together an ambitious outcome can be facilitated. More information about the EU's policy on the fight against greenhouse gases online. (For more information: Anna-Kaisa Itkonen - Tel.: +32 229 56186 - Nicole Bockstaller - Tel.: +32 229 5258)
Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)
MEX/16/3427