DAILY NEWS
Brussels, 07 May 2024
EU and Israel hold their 15th meeting on Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Antisemitism
Today and tomorrow, representatives from the Commission and Israel hold their 15th EU-Israel High-Level Seminar on combating racism, xenophobia and antisemitism in Brussels. The Seminar takes place against the background of an unprecedented rise of antisemitism in Europe and worldwide after the heinous terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians on 7 October 2023.
The Commission and Israel will reaffirm their full support to European Jewish communities in these difficult times. Determined to fight all forms of antisemitic manifestations, they will agree to strengthen their cooperation in fighting antisemitism, particularly online, as well as Holocaust distortion and denial in the digital sphere. The following topics will be discussed as part of the Seminar: the rise of antisemitism after 7 October and its impact on Jewish communities in Europe; artificial intelligence, antisemitism and radicalisation; progresses and challenges on the fight against antisemitism; and its rise in the online landscape.
Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, who will participate in the opening session of the event, said: “Antisemitism is incompatible with what the European Union stands for – it goes against European values and the model of society we represent. But today we are better equipped to fight antisemitism in Europe than before, drawing on the first-ever EU strategy on combating antisemitism we adopted in 2021. Now is the time to step up its implementation, with EU Member States and in collaboration with our key partners.”
Israel Katz, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Aurore Bergé, French Minister for Gender Equality and Fight against Discriminations as well as Maria Alexandra Kefala, Greek Deputy Minister of Social Cohesion and Family will also attend the event.
More information on the Commission's fight against antisemitism is available here.
(For more information: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 2 296 22 53; Jördis Ferroli - Tel.: +32 2 299 27 29)
First EU rulebook to protect media independence and pluralism enters into force
Today, the European Media Freedom Act, a new set of unprecedented rules to protect media independence and pluralism, enters into force. This new legislation provides safeguards against political interference in editorial decisions and against surveillance of journalists. The Act guarantees that media can operate more easily in the internal market and online. Additionally, the regulation also aims to secure the independence and stable funding of public service media, as well as the transparency of both media ownership and allocation of state advertising.
Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, said: “For the first time ever, the EU has a law to protect media freedom. The EU recognises that journalists play an essential role for democracy and should be protected. I call on Member States to implement the new rules as soon as possible.”
Commissioner for Internal Market, Thierry Breton, added: “Media companies play a vital role in our democracies but are confronted with falling revenues, threats to media freedom and pluralism and a patchwork of different national rules. Thanks to the European Media Freedom Act, media companies will enjoy common safeguards at EU level to guarantee a plurality of voices and be able to better benefit from the opportunities of operating in our single market without any interference, be it private or public.”
Proposed by the Commission in September 2022, this Regulation puts in place several protections for the right to media plurality becoming applicable within 6 months. More details on the timeline for its application are available in this infographic. More information on the Commission's action to uphold media freedom and pluralism and the safety of journalists is also available online.
(For more information: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Christian Wigand - Tel.: +32 229 62253 Thomas Regnier – Tel.: +32 2 29 9 1099, Cristina Torres Castillo - Tel.: +32 229 6 34 44)
EU allocates €125 million in humanitarian aid for most vulnerable in Yemen
The Commission is providing €125 million in new EU humanitarian funding to address the most pressing needs of people in Yemen amidst the ongoing crisis and escalating tensions in the region. The announcement comes on the occasion of the sixth Senior Officials Meeting on Yemen, chaired by Commissioner Janez Lenarčič in Brussels.
The funding will be channelled exclusively through the EU's humanitarian partners, including UN agencies and NGOs actively involved in the response, supporting vulnerable communities affected by Yemen's decade-long conflict, displacement, and climate emergencies.
Aid will support food security and assistance for malnutrition, health and specialised protection services and demining activities among others. Dedicated programmes for education and child protection will also be supported.
To respond to the urgent health crisis triggered by outbreaks of infectious diseases in Yemen, since February this year the EU has also organised 13 Humanitarian Air Bridge flights and is in the process of launching another operation this month consisting of 24 flights. These aid deliveries have amongst others issues helped tackle the cholera outbreak in the country.
The press release is available online.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari - Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Daniel Puglisi - Tel.: +32 2 296 91 40)
Commissioner Simson met with Ukraine's Energy Minister Galushchenko in Kyiv to discuss winter preparedness and energy infrastructure repairs
Yesterday, in Kyiv, Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson discussed with Ukraine's Energy Minister German Galushchenko their cooperation to strengthen the resilience of the Ukrainian energy system and preparations for the next heating season.
The Commissioner stressed that the EU will support Ukraine in rebuilding its energy infrastructure so that industry and households do not face any restrictions on electricity supply. The Parties discussed the needs of the Ukrainian energy sector for equipment that can be provided by European partners. Particular attention was focused on financial support, particularly through the mechanisms of the Ukraine Energy Support Fund established under the Energy Community Secretariat.
In addition, the importance of the potential of interconnections between Ukraine and European countries was emphasised, which makes it possible to attract electricity from partner countries to balance the energy system. The future integration of Ukrainian energy markets into the European market and the relevant regulatory and legal preparations was also part of the discussions. The Commissioner and Minister also discussed the expected end of the transit of Russian gas to Europe via Ukraine later this year.
While in Kyiv yesterday, Commissioner Simson also participated in the online meeting of the International Energy Advisory Council to support Ukraine, held a meeting with the Members of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and attended a working dinner with the CEOs of the main Ukrainian energy companies.
A read-out of the meeting with Minister Galushchenko is available online.
(For more information: Tim McPhie – Tel.: +32 2 295 86 02; Giulia Bedini – Tel: +32 2 295 86 61; Ana Crespo Parrondo – Tel.: +32 2 298 13 25)
€90 million Cohesion Policy call reinforces urban innovation across the EU
To further reinforce and strengthen sustainable urban development in EU cities, the Commission today is launching a third call for proposals worth €90 million under the European Urban Initiative (EUI). Projects selected under this call will test innovative solutions in cities to help them to deliver on the green and digital transitions.
Projects must focus on one of the following two priorities:
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) will co-finance 80% of project costs, with each project receiving up to €5 million. Part of this funding will support the transfer of knowledge and adaptation of these tested solutions to other EU cities to ensure that local projects have a wider societal and economic impact in Europe. The remaining 20% will be covered by local authorities and project partners.
Interested representatives from EU cities are invited to consult the EUI webpage for details on the application process. The deadline to submit proposals is 14 October 2024.
Background
The European Urban Initiative (EUI) is a key instrument part of Cohesion Policy for the 2021–2027 programming period, to reinforce and strengthen sustainable urban development across the EU. It shows the specific role that EU cities of all sizes have in ensuring economic, social, and territorial cohesion across the EU, a key aim of Cohesion Policy. During this period, €24 billion from the ERDF will support EU cities in delivering on their sustainable development strategies, with projects covering competitiveness, cities' greening, social inclusion, culture, and demography.
EUI allows cities to test innovative solutions that tackle unique urban challenges that they are facing, based on calls and themes defined by the Commission. These solutions should be transferable and replicable in other EU cities. Two calls have already taken place: a call in October 2022 to support the New European Bauhaus and a call in May 2023 focused on the themes greening cities, sustainable tourism, and harnessing talent in shrinking cities.
The EUI builds on the Urban Innovative Actions, the Commission's initiative launched during the 2014-2020 programming period, but has a stronger focus on urban innovation, sustainability, and replicability in other cities. Beyond innovation, it supports all urban areas by informing policymaking and sharing knowledge on sustainable urban development via the Urban Agenda for the EU.
For more information
European Urban Initiative
Cohesion Open Data Platform
Kohesio
@ElisaFerreiraEC
@EUinmyRegion
Quote(s)
Cities act as centres for innovation and play a vital role in propelling the green and digital transitions on the ground. With this third EUI call for proposals, we are giving cities an opportunity to explore the potential of emerging technologies in the energy sector and beyond, leading the way to a climate-neutral Europe. Urban areas of all sizes will not be left behind – we will ensure that they innovate, moving with the times, to become more inclusive and accessible to all Europeans.
Elisa Ferreira, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms
Joint press release: EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum bolsters cooperation between Ukrainian and European defence industries
The EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum took place in Brussels.
The event, the first organised by the European Union (EU), was hosted by High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell and Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba and Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Oleksandr Kamyshin, with support from the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Aerospace, Security and Defence Industries Association of Europe (ASD).
The Forum focused on strengthening defence industrial cooperation between the EU and Ukraine, in view of providing sustained military support to Ukraine, also over the long-term, and better addressing Ukrainian defence and industrial needs. It gathered over 400 representatives from governments, EU and Ukrainian defence industries, industry associations and key partner countries and organisations as well as EU institutions. It included a High-Level Conference and a business matchmaking segment, which offered a platform for concrete business-to-business cooperation, in particular for Small and Medium sized Enterprises.
The EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum is a first, concrete step in the implementation of the European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS), launched in March 2024. The Forum opens the way to identify concrete cooperation initiatives, arrangements and flagship projects between the EU and Ukraine defence industries, through e.g., joint ventures. This will promote closer cooperation between defence companies and to the progressive integration of the Ukrainian industry in the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB), also in view of Ukraine's accession process to the EU.
As Russia continues to wage its brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU stands firm in its determination and steadfast commitment to support Ukraine with whatever it takes to prevail, in the short-term as well as for the long run. This Forum testifies to this commitment.
The EU will continue to encourage Member States to deliver more and faster miltiary assistance to Ukraine and provide support via the European Peace Facility. The EU has proposed to support joint procurement from the European defence industry (and Norway) and encourages procurement through joint ventures between the European and Ukrainian defence industry.
The EU is also working towards the set-up of an EU Innovation Office in Kyiv.
The Forum is the third multilateral edition of a series of international defence industries events launched by the Ukrainian government in Kyiv in September 2023 – the first one organised by the EU.
The EU-Ukraine Defence Industries Forum was proposed by the European Defence Industrial Strategy, (EDIS), presented on 5 March 2024 by the European Commission and the High Representative, in coordination with the European Defence Agency. Developed against the backdrop of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the objective of EDIS is to strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and achieve defence industrial readiness, in order to better protect EU citizens and support partners. Developing closer ties with Ukraine through its participation in Union's initiatives in support of defence industry and stimulating cooperation between the EU and Ukrainian defence industries are among the set of actions presented in EDIS.
In line with the Conclusions of the European Council, the EU and Member States committed to continue addressing Ukraine's pressing military and defence needs. The EU and Member States have delivered €32 billion military assistance to Ukraine. On 18 March 2024, the Council of the European Union adopted the Ukraine Assistance Fund providing additional €5 billion of support, to be implemented under the European Peace Facility. Under this instrument, the EU has provided lethal and non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine, including ammunition, as well as covered common costs for the training of the 47,000 Ukrainian soldiers trained so far by the EU Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM). The target is to have trained 60,000 Ukrainian troops by summer 2024.
On 15 March 2024, the European Commission selected 31 potential projects with a total funding of €500 million under the Act in Support of Ammunition Production (ASAP) to assist European industry in increasing its ammunition and missiles production and readiness. On the same day, the European Commission adopted the instrument for the reinforcement of the European Defence Industry through common Procurement (EDIRPA) Work Programme, and launched the respective calls for proposal with a total budget of €310 million.
Today’s Forum is a key step to bolster cooperation between Ukrainian and EU defence industries. It is crucial now but also for our future needs. I am convinced it will bring our defence industries closer, allow us to learn from each other, and help Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s war of aggression. This may prove to be a game changer for the long term.
High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
Our commitment towards Ukraine and our joint ambition to mobilise the European industry to deliver what is needed, are as solid as ever. The European defence industries must move into a war economy mode. The objective is to produce faster, more and together, to continue supporting Ukraine, now and on the long term.
Thierry Breton, Commissioner for Internal Market
If we are to maintain peace in Europe, we must transition to a wartime European economy and industry, as paradoxical as this may sound. What we can do is deter aggressive Russia by demonstrating that Europe has the means to defend itself. A common defense industrial space would help overcome existing problems. No country can help Ukraine and protect Europe on its own. Only a collective effort can.
Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine
Ukraine is forever grateful for all the assistance the EU and its Member States have delivered and continue to provide. Over the last year, we have also been ramping up our own capabilities significantly — and we aim to build them in cooperation with our allies. We see our defence industry as part of the EU’s defence industrial base, contributing to the collective security of the EU’s Member States.
Oleksandr Kamyshin, Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine
CALENDAR
Wednesday 8 May 2024
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Aachen, Germany: participates in the Charlemagne Prize Forum on Europe.
Mr Johannes Hahn in Chisinau, Moldova (until 09/05): attends public events together with Ms Maia Sandu, President of the Republic of Moldova, and government representatives.
Mr Paolo Gentiloni holds a video conference call with Ms Elisabeth Svantesson, Minister of Finance of Sweden.
Ms Helena Dalli in Rome, Italy: joins the 2024 Women 7 Summit, organised by the Women 7 Committee.
Ms Iliana Ivanova delivers a video message at the 30th anniversary event of the European Economic Area Agreement.
Thursday 9 May 2024
Ms Věra Jourová in Venice, Italy: attends G7 Justice Ministerial Meeting.
Mr Paolo Gentiloni in Rome, Italy (until 10/05): participates in the event celebrating Europe Day.
Ms Elisa Ferreira in Lisbon, Portugal (until 10/5): participates in a debate at the Agência para o Desenvolvimento e Coesão Event; and attends the celebrations of Europe Day, organised by the European Parliament Office and the Commission Representation at the Fundação Champalimaud.
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: delivers a speech at the event organised by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Municipality of Nicosia on Europe Day; delivers a speech at the photo exhibition, organised by Cyprus for the 20 year anniversary of Cyprus's accession to the EU.
Mr Janez Lenarčič visits Slovenia for celebrations of Europe Day and 20th anniversary of Slovenia's membership in the EU.
Ms Jutta Urpilainen visits Valletta, Malta; holds a meeting with Mr Robert Abela, Prime Minister of Malta.
Ms Kadri Simson in Tallinn, Estonia : participates in the public Seminar 'My Estonia, My Europe. 20 Years Later', discussing about Estonia's achievements and prospects for the future in the European Union; delivers an opening speech in the public event 'Our Europe. Our NATO', organised by the the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.
Friday 10 May 2024
Mr Paolo Gentiloni in Rome, Italy: delivers an opening speech at the ASVIS-ECCO High-Level Symposium ‘Europe's Future: Investing in the Climate Transition for All'; participates in the book launch event ‘Sovereign Europe. The three challenges of a new world' by Paolo Guerrieri e Pier Carlo Padoan.
Ms Elisa Ferreira delivers a speech at the Conference organised by Confederação Empresarial de Portugal.
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Nicosia, Cyprus: participates in the extraordinary plenary session of the Cyprus House of Representatives; and delivers a speech at the event organised by the Cyprus House of Representatives for the 20 year anniversary of Cyprus's accession to the EU.
Ms Kadri Simson delivers a keynote speech at the 4th Sadales tīkls AS Energy Supply Innovation AC/DC Tech Forum, via videoconference.
Ms Mairead McGuinness in Dublin, Ireland: delivers a keynote speech at the Financial Services Ireland annual meeting.
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Athens, Greece: participates in a dialogue with young people organised by the Representation of the European Commission in Greece.
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