Today, the Commission releases the list of initial members of the Alliance for Zero-Emission Aviation (AZEA), which includes companies of all sizes from across the air transport industrial ecosystem, including the aeronautics industry, airlines, aircraft lessors, airports, energy providers, business associations and civil society organisations. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and Eurocontrol, the European air traffic management organisation, have also joined the Alliance. Launched by Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton in June 2022, the members of the AZEA commit to prepare for zero emission aviation through, for example, hydrogen and electric aircraft. The broad representation of actors from across the air transport ecosystem validates the Alliance’s core notion that the benefits of zero-emission aircraft can only be realised through a joint effort by all stakeholders. The Alliance aims to address several aspects linked to the fuel and infrastructure requirements of hydrogen and electric aircraft at airports, the sourcing of renewable fuels and electricity, standardisation and certification, practices for airline operators and air traffic management. With a total of 74 members having joined in this first wave from the EU and beyond, the Alliance has a strong basis to roll-out a plan for hydrogen and electric aircraft. As a next step, AZEA will hold its first General Assembly meeting on 14 November 2022 in Brussels The Alliance continues to be open for any interested stakeholder who wish to become a member. Interested parties can join by signing the Declaration of the Alliance and filling in the application form, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the terms of reference. More information on the Alliance’s website. (For more information: Sonya Gospodinova – Tel.: +32 229 66953; Flore Boutier – Tel.: + 32 229 66043)
Fourth report confirms SURE success in protecting jobs during pandemic
The Commission has published its fourth bi-annual report on the implementation and impact of SURE, the €100 billion instrument designed to protect jobs and incomes affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The report confirms and extends the findings of the three previous bi-annual reports; namely that SURE was successful in cushioning the impact of the pandemic and supporting the recovery in 2021. National labour market measures supported by SURE effectively protected around 1.5 million people from unemployment in 2020. SURE also contributed to preventing a rise in labour market inequality across Member States. The protection of employment was crucial to facilitate the rapid economic rebound in 2021, which was faster than in previous crises. SURE helped enable this by financing schemes to allow firms to retain employees and skills, and to help the self-employed to be ready to resume their activities immediately, as well as by boosting confidence across the EU. A total of €93.3 billion of financial assistance to 19 Member States was proposed by the Commission and granted by the Council, of which almost €92 billion has been disbursed. SURE can still provide a further €6.2 billion of financial assistance to Member States.
Monkeypox: Commission purchases treatment courses to meet immediate needs
Today, the Commission has secured over 10,000 treatment courses of tecovirimat to treat Monkeypox. This emergency procurement is funded by the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and channelled via rescEU to treat patients in Member States with immediate needs. Tecovirimat is produced by the pharmaceutical company Meridian/SIGA. Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “Today, with our Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, we have secured over 10,000 treatment courses to help those affected by Monkeypox. In addition to the over 330,000 vaccines already purchased by the EU, with these treatments we will help Member States meet immediate needs and ensure care for more patients in Europe. The declining trend of Monkeypox cases in the EU is encouraging but it does not mean that the threat has passed or that we can lower our guard. Preparedness is the fundament of our European Health Union.” Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič said: “Monkeypox is one of the priority threats identified as part of the rescEU strategic reserves. These batches of monkeypox antivirals will offer an additional level of protection our citizens. The stocks will be available to Member States on an urgent needs-basis.” While this emergency procurement will ensure that urgent needs are met, an ongoing joint procurement driven by HERA and EU Member States will also address the medium and longer-term needs of Member States over time. The purchase of the 10,000 treatment courses of tecovirimat can be accessed by all Participating States of the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
Single Market: Commission committed to transparency and cooperation with Member States
Following the recent proposal on new rules for addressing Single Market future emergencies, the Commission is today showcasing the availability of essential existing tools to ensure the free movement of goods and services for smooth functioning of the Single Market. First, the Commission is today publishing a report on the implementation of the Single Market Transparency Directive (STMD) showing that Member States are becoming more transparent in adopting national technical regulations for products and information society services. They have also increased cooperation among Member States and with the European Commission when addressing potential challenges from these to ensure the smooth functioning of the Single Market. This transparency principles helped to have a coordinated approach during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic ensuring the Single Market continued to deliver for citizens and businesses. Secondly, the Commission is today also holding a meeting of the Single Market Enforcement Task Force, a key forum for cooperation among Member States and the Commission to address concrete barriers in the Single Market. During today’s meeting, the Commission presents several best practices of Member States streamlining administrative requirements for cross border service providers. For example the use of modern electronic tools to exchange documents, and reduce the administrative burden for businesses. Member States agreed to examine the different best practices and see which could work for them.
Global Gateway: President von der Leyen announces funding for women and youth’s rights, food security, fight against disease, and biodiversity
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, concluded on Saturday an intense week of discussions with world leaders and international partners at the UN General Assembly in New York with a series of pledges to tackle the current food crisis, aggravated by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the urgent climate and nature crisis and to improve global health. Speaking at the Global Citizen Festival in New York, President von der Leyen reiterated EU’s commitment to help our most vulnerable partners deal with the social and economic fallout of Russia’s unlawful actions and boost sustainable investments under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy. President von der Leyen said: “Team Europe is answering the call from citizens to address food security, to take care of our health and the health of our planet. After we joined forces to fight the pandemic, we must now come together to end other deadly diseases, tackle poverty and bring equity. And Europe will also play its role in the global green transition. Ahead of COP15 in December, we are confirming an unprecedented investment in support to our partners. I call on all international donors to match our ambition on biodiversity.” The President pledged €715 million for the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, which brings the total Team Europe (EU and Member States) contribution to more than €4.3 billion. She also announced the allocation of the €600 million in additional funds for addressing the global food security crisis in the most vulnerable partner countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific. In addition, the President announced a new contribution of €45 million over six years to support sexual and reproductive health and rights – and women’s rights – worldwide. And she announced that the doubling of the Commission’s funding to global biodiversity would result in €7 billion invested to protect biodiversity around the world.
Source: Cyprus News Agency