(AGENPARL) – mar 27 giugno 2023 [https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/notiftemplate/img/espressobanner.jpg]
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[Daily News 27 / 06 / 2023](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_23_3548)
Ukraine: EU sending 500 power generators from rescEU reserves in response to Nova Kakhovka dam breach
Following assistance already provided to Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism and humanitarian partners, the EU is now deploying 500 power generators from its [rescEU](https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/civil-protection/resceu_en) stockpile hosted by Poland to Ukraine in the aftermath of the Nova Kakhovka dam breach. The generators will be used to restore critical infrastructure such as water pumping stations and sewage stations in the affected areas of southern Ukraine. The generators are of various sizes ranging from 12.5 kVA to 1100 kVA with a total financial value of €16 million.
Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenar?i? said: “The destruction of Nova Kakhovka dam was yet another outrageous attack on critical civilian infrastructure by Russia with catastrophic consequences to the environment and local communities. Entire villages have been swept away, people are left without access to water and electricity. As part of our emergency response to this disaster, we are mobilising our rescEU strategic reserves hosted by Poland to deliver 500 power generators to Ukraine. I also want to thank all European countries who immediately offered assistance to Ukraine via the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. We continue working hand in hand with the Ukrainian authorities to provide emergency assistance to the affected populations, for as long as it’s needed.”
The Nova Kakhovka dam breach has unleashed floodwaters from the world’s largest reservoir, washing away villages, destroying farmland and exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in southern Ukraine with many communities left without access to water, electricity, and shelter.
Financial services: Commission welcomes political agreement on EU Banking Package
The Commission welcomes the political agreement reached yesterday, between the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission’s proposal of 2021 for a review of EU banking rules (the Capital Requirements Regulation and the Capital Requirements Directive), the ‘Banking Package’.
The package implements the final set of international standards agreed by the EU and its G20 partners in the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, so-called Basel III. It will make EU banks even more resilient to possible economic shocks, while contributing to Europe’s transition to climate neutrality. Specifically, the package aims to ensure that banks using “internal models” to calculate their capital requirements measure risks in a consistent way.
Beyond the implementation of Basel III standards, the package also contains a number of measures to keep the EU prudential framework fit for purpose in terms of sustainability risks and in terms of supervision, including regarding third-country branches. It also provides stronger tools for supervisors overseeing EU banks.
Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, said: “Recent events in the banking sector at global level confirm the importance of strong supervision and sound prudential regulation. With this agreement the EU is the first jurisdiction worldwide to implement the final elements of the Basel III accord. But we are doing more, by further improving supervision of our banks, and making sure they adapt to future challenges, notably regarding Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) risks. This package ensures that the EU banking sector is fit for the future, and can continue to be a reliable and sustainable source of finance for the EU economy and to the benefit of its citizens.”
The new rules amending the [Capital Requirements Regulation](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32013R0575) (CRR) are expected to apply from 1 January 2025, with certain elements of the regulation phasing in over the coming years.
Changes related to the supervision of credit institutions are implemented via an amendment of the [Capital Requirements Directive](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A32013L0036) (CRD) and will have to be transposed by member states by 30 June 2026.
NextGenerationEU: Commission endorses Slovakia’s revised recovery and resilience plan, including a REPowerEU chapter
The plan, which was [endorsed](https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-06/COM_2023_375_1_EN_ACT_part1_v4.pdf) yesterday, is now worth €6.4 billion in grants (up from the previous €6 billion) and covers 64 reforms and 60 investments.
Slovakia has proposed several changes to its original plan. Importantly, ithas added a REPowerEU chapter including six new reforms, four new investments and four scaled-up investments which were already included in the original plan. These reforms and investments will help deliver on the [REPowerEU Plan](https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal/repowereu-affordable-secure-and-sustainable-energy-europe_en)’s objectives to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before 2030. In particular, the reforms will accelerate the deployment of renewables by defining suitable areas for wind energy development in Slovakia, streamlining the permitting framework, including for the use of geothermal energy and heat pumps, and simplifying grid connection procedures for renewables. The investments will expand the capacity of the electricity grid and boost sustainable transport through zero-emission vehicles. The REPowerEU chapter also includes measures to increase energy efficiency, for instance by investing and supporting the house renovation of families at risk of energy poverty, and measures to accelerate workers’ take-up of green skills.
Slovakia has also removed two smaller investments from the original plan and adjusted close to 70 measures. This will ensure they can be effectively carried out in a changed context, characterised among other things by inflation being higher than originally expected and by a reduction in the RRF grants financing part of the plan (i.e. the measures that are not included in the REPowerEU chapter).
The modified plan has a significantly stronger focus on the green transition, dedicating 46% (up from 42% in the original plan) of the available funds to measures that support climate objectives. The Slovak plan’s digital ambition remains high, with 21% (unchanged compared to the original plan) of its total allocation being earmarked to support the digital transition.
The Council will now have, as a rule, four weeks to endorse the Commission’s assessment. A full press release is available [online](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3443).
More information on the Slovak recovery and resilience plan can be found [here](https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/slovakias-recovery-and-resilience-plan_en). More information on the process concerning the revision of recovery and resilience plans can be found in this [Q&A](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_2489).
NextGenerationEU: La Commission approuve une évaluation préliminaire partiellement positive de la deuxième demande de paiement de la Roumanie au titre de la facilité pour la reprise et la résilience
[L’évaluation préliminaire](https://commission.europa.eu/document/download/703344a8-1b97-4d55-99bb-a48d0d5619a9_en?filename=C_2023_4438_1_EN_annexe.pdf), adoptée aujourd’hui, est positive pour 47 jalons et 2 cibles sur les 49 jalons et 2 cibles couverts par la deuxième demande de paiement de la Roumanie, ce qui démontre des progrès dans la mise en œuvre du plan pour la reprise et la résilience de la Roumanie.
Les 47 jalons et 2 cibles évalués positivement couvrent des réformes dans les domaines de la transition écologique et numérique, ainsi que des réformes et des investissements liés à l’amélioration de la coordination gouvernementale pour la mise en œuvre des politiques publiques, à l’amélioration de la gestion de l’eau, au soutien du tourisme et à la promotion de la culture. D’autres réformes et investissements visent à améliorer la gestion des ressources humaines dans le secteur des soins de santé, à renforcer l’administration fiscale et la viabilité du système des retraites, à moderniser les infrastructures dans le domaine de l’éducation, à garantir l’indépendance du pouvoir judiciaire et à intensifier la lutte contre la corruption. La demande de paiement couvre également des réformes visant à améliorer la sécurité routière et des investissements destinés à soutenir financièrement le secteur privé.
La Commission a constaté que deux jalons liés aux investissements dans le secteur de l’énergie (jalon 129 et jalon 133) n’ont pas été atteintes de manière satisfaisante. La Commission prend acte des premières mesures déjà prises par la Roumanie pour atteindre ces jalons en suspens, bien qu’il reste encore beaucoup à faire. La Commission active donc la procédure de « suspension des paiements », au titre de l’article 24, paragraphe 6, du [règlement FRR](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/241/oj). Conformément au règlement FRR et comme expliqué dans la [communication](https://commission.europa.eu/publications/communication-implementation-recovery-and-resilience-facility_en) publiée le 21 février 2023, cette procédure donne aux États membres un délai supplémentaire pour atteindre les valeurs intermédiaires en suspens, tout en recevant un paiement partiel lié aux jalons et cibles qui ont été atteints de manière satisfaisante.
L’évaluation préliminaire positive et la suspension des paiements sont deux procédures distinctes qui suivent des étapes différentes. Celles-ci sont expliquées plus en détail dans l’intégralité du [communiqué de presse](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3496) et du document [questions-réponses](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/qanda_23_3497) qui ont été publiées en ligne.
De plus amples informations sur le plan pour la reprise et la résilience de la Roumanie sont disponibles [ici](https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/recovery-and-resilience-plan-romania_en).
Consumer protection: major online travel agencies commit to refund within 14 days for cancelled flights
Following a dialogue with the European Commission and national consumer authorities (CPC network), Edreams ODIGEO, Etraveli Group and Kiwi.com committed to better inform consumers of their rights in case of flight cancellations by airlines and to transfer ticket refunds within seven days after receiving them from the airlines, meaning that consumers should receive them after a total of 14 days.
Under[EU passenger rights](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32004R0261), airlines cancelling a flight are required to refund tickets within seven days once the passenger has opted to have the flight reimbursed. However, airline tickets can also be bought through an intermediary (an ‘online travel agency’). As a result of this dialogue, the three major European airline intermediaries provide clarity for such cases: consumers will receive their refund within 14 days maximum. This step also helps create a fair and level playing field within the travel airline industry.
The three major European airline intermediaries agreed to introduce the changes to its practices ahead of the upcoming summer holiday season, by 30 June 2023. A full press release is available [online](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3521).
E-evidence: Commission welcomes final agreement on cross-border access to electronic evidence
The Commission welcomes the final adoption today by EU Member States of landmark legislation to facilitate their authorities’ cross-border access to electronic evidence in the EU. The European Commission proposed this legislative package in 2018, introducing a new form of judicial cooperation based on mutual recognition through the European Production Order that enables judicial authorities to directly request electronic evidence from a service provider based in another Member State, regardless of where the data is located. It also creates a European Preservation Order, to prevent any evidence from being deleted in anticipation of a future request for production. In order to ensure compliance with cross-border judicial orders, the new rules will require service providers to designate a legal representative or one of their existing establishments in the EU to receive, comply with, and enforce requests to gather electronic evidence.
Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, said: “It is high time to equip our prosecutors and law enforcement with modern tools for the digital age. The internet knows no borders and the same is true for criminals. Even for many national investigations the new rules will help given that e-evidence is often held by a service provider based in another country. With this legislation, investigators across our Union will finally have efficient and reliable means to obtain e-evidence swiftly, wherever it is found.”
Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, added: “Digital should not mean ‘out of reach’ from justice. If competent authorities can obtain criminal evidence in the analogue world, we need to ensure that they can also obtain it in the digital one with the same speed and effectiveness. To fail to ensure such access is to fail the victims. This legislation will significantly contribute to avoiding that.”
Once published in the Official Journal, the new rules, a Regulation and a Directive, will enter into force 20 days after their publication. The Regulation will enter into application three years after that. Member States are required to transpose the Directive into their national laws in the next two and a half years. More information can be found [here](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7246).
EU and Japan strengthen cooperation on digital trade and economic security
Today, the EU and Japan held their third High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED). The meeting centred on economic security following the agreement to expand the scope of the dialogue. The HLED was co-chaired by Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, with Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yoshimasa Hayashi, and Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry, Yasutoshi Nishimura.
The Executive Vice-President and the Ministers concluded the EU-Japan Digital Trade Principles. This instrument will be key for bilateral trade and investment, as it will establish a common understanding on key issues relevant to digital trade and a joint commitment to an open digital economy, free of unjustified barriers to international trade. It will build on internationally agreed principles such as the G7 Digital Trade Principles and the WTO e-commerce negotiations and it will be non-binding. The Digital Trade Principles will cover data governance, digital trade facilitation, consumer trust and business trust.
Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis said: “At today’s High Level Economic Dialogue, we further strengthened our partnership with Japan, with whom we share values and strategic goals. We agreed to coordinate further on economic security, supply chain resilience and WTO reform. We concluded EU-Japan Digital Trade Principles and progressed negotiations on data flows. Reaching agreement in these areas will benefit businesses on both sides and put us at the cutting edge of the digital economy. All in all, we can say with confidence that the EU-Japan relationship is stronger than ever, which matters enormously in this time of geopolitical uncertainty.”
A press release is available [online](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_3530).
Agriculture : Le dernier rapport sur le commerce agroalimentaire montre des exportations record en mars 2023
Le dernier rapport mensuel sur le commerce agroalimentaire [publié aujourd’hui](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/news/latest-agri-food-trade-report-shows-record-high-exports-march-2023-2023-06-27_en) montre qu’après [le rebond des exportations de février](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/news/latest-agri-food-trade-report-shows-rebound-eu-exports-february-2023-2023-06-08_en), le commerce agroalimentaire de l’UE a continué de progresser avec une augmentation significative des exportations en mars. Cela s’est traduit par un excédent commercial de + 6,9 milliards d’euros, en hausse de 28 % d’un mois sur l’autre.
Le niveau élevé des exportations du mois de mars a atteint 21,5 milliards d’euros, en hausse de 16 % par rapport à février 2023. Les exportations ont notamment augmenté pour les préparations céréalières et les produits de minoterie, les préparations de fruits, noix et légumes, ainsi que les produits laitiers. Au premier trimestre 2023, les trois principales destinations des exportations agroalimentaires de l’UE étaient le Royaume-Uni, les États-Unis et la Chine.
Les importations ont également augmenté pour s’établir à 14,6 milliards d’euros. Les importations ont augmenté en particulier pour le sucre et l’isoglucose, les céréales et les produits du tabac, tant en volume qu’en valeur. Les trois principaux pays importateurs au premier trimestre 2023 pour les importations agroalimentaires de l’UE étaient le Brésil, l’Ukraine et le Royaume-Uni.
Plus d’informations ainsi que des tableaux détaillés sont disponibles [en ligne](https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/news/latest-agri-food-trade-report-shows-record-high-exports-march-2023-2023-06-27_en).
L’examen des performances des PME montre une performance positive des micro PME en 2022
La Commission publie aujourd’hui [l’examen des performances des petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) pour 2023](https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/smes/sme-strategy/sme-performance-review_en). Selon les conclusions, les microentreprises de moins de 10 salariés ont dépassé les autres classes de taille des PME et ont enregistré une croissance de l’emploi de 3 % en 2022. Certains écosystèmes industriels ont également connu une croissance dans le contexte de la crise. En particulier, les écosystèmes industriels « énergies renouvelables » et « de détail » ont connu une croissance à long terme de la valeur ajoutée, au bénéfice à la fois des PME et des grandes entreprises dans ces domaines. Plus généralement, l’emploi des PME a augmenté dans l’ensemble des 14 écosystèmes industriels, les hausses les plus importantes ayant eu lieu dans les secteurs fortement touchés par les restrictions liées à la pandémie, comme le tourisme, qui a enregistré une croissance de 8 % du niveau de l’emploi.