Commissioner Kyriakides participates in Ukraine-EU healthcare conference
Today, Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, will address via video message a conference on Ukraine-EU integration in the healthcare sector. Olga Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and Viktor Liashko, Minister of Health, will participate with other high-level participants to discuss the achievements and challenges of the Ukrainian healthcare sector, in the context of its integration path into the EU.
This EU-funded conference will provide an opportunity to exchange views on how to achieve strong integration of Ukraine and the EU healthcare systems and help foster bilateral cooperation with EU Member States. Young participants will share their vision for the future of the Ukrainian healthcare sector in the EU.
Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022, the Commission has been actively supporting the Ukrainian healthcare sector. More than 3,600
patients have been transferred to hospitals in EU/EEA countries through the EU Medical Evacuation programme, and the EU has funded access to mental health services for Ukrainians affected by Russia’s war of aggression. Ukraine is now also associated with the EU4Health funding programme. Ukrainian healthcare professionals and policymakers are working closely with their counterparts in EU Member States on key issues related to their healthcare sector.
Stella Kyriakides, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, said: “Today’s important conference demonstrates our continued and unwavering solidarity and support with Ukraine, and the EU’s full commitment to supporting Ukraine on its path to European integration. We have already deepened our cooperation in the field of health and will continue to support the Ukrainian authorities in meeting the requirements for EU membership.”
(For more information: Stefan De Keersmaecker – Tel.: +32 2 298 46 80; Anna Gray – Tel.: +32 2 298 08 73)
Commission concludes that onlin
e social networking service of X should not be designated under the Digital Markets Act
Today, the Commission found that the online social networking service of X should not be designated as a core platform service under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Today’s decision comes after an in-depth market investigation launched on 13 May 2024 following the notification by X of its status of potential gatekeeper. Together with the notification, X also submitted rebuttal arguments, explaining why its online social networking service should not, in its view, qualify as an important gateway between businesses and consumers, even if X is deemed to meet the quantitative thresholds set out in the DMA.
Following a thorough assessment of all arguments, including input by relevant stakeholders, and after consulting the Digital Markets Advisory Committee, the Commission concluded that X does indeed not qualify as a gatekeeper in relation to its online social networking service, given that the investigation revealed that X i
s not an important gateway for business users to reach end users.
The Commission will continue to monitor the developments on the market with respect to this service, should any substantial changes arise.
The non-confidential version of the decision will be published on the Commission’s DMA website.
(For more information: Lea Zuber – Tel: +32 2 295 62 98, Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 291 33 91, Sara Simonini – Tel: +32 2 298 33 67, Patricia Poropat – Tel: +32 229-80485)
Commission provides funding for Member States to support voluntary returns
To support Member States in assisted voluntary returns of non-EU nationals without the legal right to stay in the EU, the Commission launched this week on 15 October a call for expression of interest of EUR 25 million under the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). More specifically, these funds will help Member States whose return systems are under pressure, by increasing their capacity building and supporting voluntary returns. Member States participating
in the AMIF are eligible and can apply until 15 November 2024.
Establishing an effective common EU system for returns is one of the core elements of the Pact on Migration and Asylum. Voluntary return and sustainable reintegration are key components of the common EU system on returns. Assisted voluntary return and reintegration programmes give returnees the possibility to safely return home in a dignified manner, and take into account their needs, expectations and prospects once returned. The EU Return Coordinator continues to work closely on this with Member States in the High-Level Network for Returns.
(For more information: Anitta Hipper – Tel.: +32 2 298 56 91, Fiorella Boigner – Tel.: +32 2 299 37 34)
Commission disburses the fourth payment of pound 998.6 million to Greece under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
Today, the Commission disbursed to Greece the fourth payment for pound 998.6 million in grants (net of pre-financing) under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
As for all Member St
ates, payments made to Greece under the RRF are performance-based and depend on the implementation by Greece of the investments and reforms described in its recovery and resilience plan.
On 6 June 2024, Greece submitted to the Commission the fourth request for payment of pound 998.6 million in grants under the RRF covering 16 milestones and four targets. These cover several reforms in areas such as improving the justice IT system and increasing electricity production capacity from renewable energy sources. Investments in reforestation, fire prevention and upgrading energy security are also included.
On 4 September 2024, the Commission adopted a positive preliminary assessment of Greece’s request for payment. The favourable opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee of the Council on the payment request paved the way for the Commission to adopt a final decision on the disbursement of the funds.
Greece’s overall recovery and resilience plan will be financed by pound 35.9 billion, with pound 18.2 billion
in grants and pound 17.7 million in loans. You can find more information on Greece’s recovery and resilience plan on this page, which features an interactive map of projects financed by the RRF, as well as on the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard. More information on the process of payment requests under the RRF can be found in this document of questions and answers.
(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: + 32 229-96302; Francisca Marçal Santos – Tel.: +32 2 299 72 36)
CALENDAR
Monday 14 October 2024
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Greece (until 18/10): in Athens – meets with Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the President of the Hellenic Republic; meets with Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece.
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Ms Stella Kyriakides delivers a keynote speech via videoconference at the European Patients Forum High-Level Policy Event, ‘Towards a patient-centred EU mandate: Health policy with and for patients’; delivers pre-recorded remarks at the ‘Ukraine-EU Integration: Healthcare’ confer
ence organised by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health.
Friday 18 October 2024
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Kozani, Greece: delivers a keynote speech at the ‘Science and Research Day’ event organised by the University of West Macedonia.
Saturday 19 October 2024
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Limassol, Cyprus: delivers a speech on breast cancer at the Awareness Raising Symposium.
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Source: Cyprus News Agency