Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

PRESS RELEASE – EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Commissioner Kyriakides participates in the 74th session of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Regional Committee for Europe

Tomorrow, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides will be participating in the 74th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Europe in Copenhagen to exchange on several cross-cutting health policy areas.

Amongst other topics, discussions will specifically focus on setting up a framework to strengthen resilient and sustainable health systems across the WHO European region, as well as ways to improve health emergency preparedness, response and resilience in the future by preparing a new regional strategy and action plan.

Commissioner Kyriakides will address health ministers and high-level delegates from the 53 Member States of the WHO European Region, as well as representatives from partner organisations and civil society by delivering a speech in the opening high-level segment.

In addition to the event tomorrow, the Commissioner this evening will hold
a bilateral meeting with Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, to discuss ongoing and future cooperation between the EU and WHO Europe.

EU agri-food trade increased in July 2024

The latest agri-food trade report published today by the European Commission showed that in July 2024, the EU agri-food trade surplus grew by 8% from the previous month, reaching pound 6.1 billion, a value similar to July 2023. This follows an already strong first half of 2024: between January and July 2024, the surplus rose to pound 39.7 billion, an increase of pound 1.1 billion compared to the same period in 2023.

Since January, cumulative EU exports from January to July reached pound 137.2 billion, 3% higher than on the same period in 2023. EU agri-food exports reached pound 20.8 billion in July 2024, up +10% from the previous month and +15% higher than July 2023. EU exports to the United States increased by pound 1.5 billion (+10%), largely due to higher prices of olives and olive oil, while exports to the
United Kingdom increased by pound 914 million (+3%). In contrast, EU exports to China fell by pound 728 million (-8%), mainly due to declines in exports of products like frozen pig meat, dairy (notably skimmed milk powder and fresh dairy products), and cereals. In terms of exported products, EU exports of olives and olive oil saw the largest growth in value, increasing by pound 1.7 billion (+59%) due to higher prices. Exports of products under the category of coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices also rose by pound 1.2 billion (+25%), mainly driven by cocoa paste, butter and powder. Meanwhile, exports of cereals, vegetable oils, and wine declined in value due to lower prices and volumes.

Cumulative imports between January and July reached pound 97.5 billion, 2% higher compared to 2023. July 2024 imports increased by +11% month-on-month to pound 14.6 billion, a +23% increase compared to July 2023. In terms of imported products, coffee, tea, cocoa, and spices surged by pound 3.8 billion (+31%), driven mainly by high
cocoa prices, especially for cocoa beans. By contrast, imports of oilseeds and protein crops saw the largest decline in value, dropping by pound 1.9 billion (-15%) notably from Australia, Brazil and the US. Cereal imports decreased by pound 1.5 billion (-20%) due to reduced prices.

More insights as well as detailed tables are available below in the latest edition of the monthly EU agri-food trade report.

(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: + 32 2 298 73 48)

Commission approves pound 150 million Greek State aid measure funded under Recovery and Resilience Facility to support construction of carbon storage facility in Prinos

The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a pound 150 million Greek measure made available through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (‘RRF’) to support the construction of a carbon storage facility in Prinos. The measure contributes to achieving Greece’s climate targets and the EU’s strategic objectives under the Euro
pean Green Deal.

The Greek measure

The measure notified by Greece will be fully financed by the RRF, following the Commission’s positive assessment of Greece’s Recovery and Resilience Plan and its adoption by the Council.

The beneficiary of the measure is EnEarth Ltd, a Greek subsidiary of Energean plc, an exploration and production company focused on developing resources in the Mediterranean and North Sea.

The aid will partially finance the construction costs of the onshore and offshore infrastructure for the creation of the carbon storage facility. The facility will be deployed in two phases, but only the first one will be financed under the current measure. Under the first phase, EnEarth will deploy a large-scale pipeline to transport, from the onshore collecting site to the offshore storage site, up to 1 million tonnes of CO2 per year emitted by industrial players. This ramp-up phase will precede the facility’s future expansion up to 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year planned under the second phase.

The aid will take the form of a direct grant, which will be disbursed in three instalments until 2026. The facility is expected to start the ramp-up phase in 2027 and become fully operational in 2030. The grant, which amounts to pound 150 million, will cover around 90% of the funding gap. If the project turns out to be very successful, generating extra net revenues, the beneficiary will return to Greece part of the aid received (claw-back mechanism).

The Commission’s assessment

The Commission assessed the measure under EU State aid rules, in particular Article 107 (3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU, which enables Member States to support the development of certain economic activities subject to certain conditions, and the 2022 Guidelines on State aid for climate, environmental protection and energy (‘CEEAG’).

The Commission found that:

The measure facilitates the development of an economic activity, in particular carbon storage. At the same time, it supports the objectives of key EU policy
initiatives, such as the European Green Deal and the EU Industrial Carbon Management Strategy

The measure is necessary and appropriate to meet the EU’s and Greece’s national climate targets.

The measure is proportionate as the aid is limited to the minimum necessary to trigger the investment. Moreover, there are safeguards, including the claw-back mechanism, to ensure that undue distortions of competition are limited.

The aid has an incentive effect, as the beneficiary would not carry out the investments without public support.

The aid brings positive effects that outweigh any potential distortion of competition and trade in the EU.

On this basis, the Commission approved the Greek measure under EU State aid rules.

Background

The Commission’s 2022 CEEAG provide guidance on how the Commission will assess the compatibility of environmental protection, including climate protection, and energy aid measures which are subject to the notification requirement under Article 107(3)(c) TFEU.

With the European Gre
en Deal Communication in 2019, the Commission set an objective of net zero emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 that is enshrined in the European Climate Law. In force since July 2021, the law also introduced the intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Through the adoption of the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative proposals, the EU has in place legally binding climate targets covering all key sectors in the economy.

The non-confidential version of the decisions will be made available under the case number SA.108267 in the State aid register on the Commission’s Competition website once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. New publications of State aid decisions on the internet and in the Official Journal are listed in the Competition Weekly e-News.

Quote(s)

This pound 150 million measure will enable Greece to support the construction of a carbon storage facility in Prinos. The measure, which will be funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility, will significa
ntly contribute to the achievement of Greece’s and the EU’s target of climate neutrality by 2050, while limiting possible distortions to competition.

Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President in charge of competition policy

Statement by the European Commission and the High Representative Josep Borrell on the Parliamentary elections in Georgia

On Saturday 26 October, Georgian citizens voted in Parliamentary elections.

The EU has been following the developments leading to the parliamentary elections closely. Over the past months, the people of Georgia have demonstrated their attachment to democratic values and their country’s EU path.

According to the preliminary findings and conclusions of the International Election Observation Mission led by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), ‘election day was generally procedurally well-organised and administered in an orderly manner but marked by a tense environment, with frequent compromises in vote secrecy and several procedural
inconsistencies, as well as reports of intimidation and pressure on voters that negatively impacted public trust in the process. Reports of pressure on voters, particularly on public sector employees, remained widespread in the campaign. This, coupled with extensive tracking of voters on election day, raised concerns about the ability of some voters to cast their vote without fear of retribution.’

Moreover, election observers report an uneven level playing field, a divisive campaign in polarised atmosphere and significant concerns over the impact of recent legislative amendments on this election process.

We call on the Central Election Commission of Georgia and other relevant authorities to fulfil their duty to swiftly, transparently and independently investigate and adjudicate electoral irregularities and allegations thereof. Those irregularities must be clarified and addressed. That is a necessary step to re-building trust in the electoral process.

The EU looks forward to the final OSCE/ODIHR report and
recommendations, which should be implemented as soon as possible.

Constructive and inclusive dialogue across the political spectrum is now paramount. In line with the European Council Conclusions of 17 October, the EU calls on Georgia to adopt democratic, comprehensive and sustainable reforms, in line with the core principles of European integration.

In this context, the EU recalls that any legislation that undermines the fundamental rights and freedoms of Georgian citizens and runs counter to the values and principles upon which the EU is founded, must be repealed.

CALENDAR

Monday 28/10

Mr Margaritis Schinas in Bruges, Belgium: participates in the opening ceremony of the 75th academic year of the College of Europe.

Ms Stella Kyriakides in Copenhagen, Denmark (until 29/10): holds a bilateral meeting with Mr Hans Henri P. Kluge, Regional Director for Europe of the World Health Organization.

Tuesday 29/10

Ms Stella Kyriakides in Copenhagen, Denmark: delivers a speech at the the opening high-level segmen
t of the 74th session of the Regional Committee for Europe of the World Heath Organization.

The European Commission is committed to personal data protection. Any personal data is processed in line with Regulation (EC) 2018/1725. All personal information processed by the Directorate-General for Communication / European Commission Representations is treated accordingly. If you do not work for a media organisation, you are welcome to contact the EU through Europe Direct in writing or by calling 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11.

Source: Cyprus News Agency