(AGENPARL) – mer 12 luglio 2023 [https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/notiftemplate/img/espressobanner.jpg]
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[Daily News 12 / 07 / 2023](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/mex_23_3824)
NextGenerationEU: Italy submits request to modify 4th payment request of recovery and resilience plan
Today, Italy submitted a request to the Commission to modify a specific set of milestones and targets of its recovery and resilience plan, corresponding to ten measures included in the 4th payment request.
The proposed changes are linked to the impossibility, due to objective circumstances, including inflation and supply-chain disruptions caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, to carry out the concerned measures as originally foreseen.
Such changes concern measures on accelerating and prioritising energy efficiency interventions under the so-called ‘Superbonus’, the expansion and development of childcare facilities, the development of the space industry, of the film industry (namely, Cinecittà), sustainable transport, boosting and greening the railway sector, support for research and development activities in the industrial sector, financial support for women-led enterprises, and fostering the third sector in Southern regions, including for education and training purposes.
The Commission will now assess whether the modified plan still fulfils the assessment criteria in the RRF Regulation. If the Commission’s assessment is positive, it will make a proposal for an amended Council Implementing Decision to reflect the changes to the Italian plan. Member States will then have up to four weeks to endorse the Commission’s assessment. The approval of Italy’s proposed modifications would then allow Italy to swiftly submit its fourth payment request and continue the effective implementation of its recovery and resilience plan.
More information on the Italian recovery and resilience plan can be found [here](https://commission.europa.eu/business-economy-euro/economic-recovery/recovery-and-resilience-facility/italys-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).
Règlement relatif aux subventions étrangères : les règles visant à garantir des marchés de l’UE équitables et ouverts commencent à s’appliquer
Le RSE s’applique à toutes les activités économiques dans l’UE : il couvre les concentrations (fusions et acquisitions), les procédures de passation de marchés publics et toutes les autres situations de marché. Il donne à la Commission le pouvoir d’enquêter sur les subventions étrangères octroyées par des pays non-membres de l’UE à des entreprises exerçant une activité économique dans l’UE et de remédier, si nécessaire, à leurs effets de distorsion. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur la page de la « [foire aux questions](https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/foreign-subsidies-regulation/questions-and-answers_fr) ».
Étant donné que désormais le RSE s’applique, les entreprises qui atteignent les seuils quantitatifs fixés disposent d’un délai de trois mois, soit jusqu’au 12 octobre 2023, pour notifier à la Commission les grandes concentrations faisant intervenir des contributions financières de pouvoirs publics de pays non-membres de l’UE dépassant un certain seuil, ou les contributions financières de pouvoirs publics de pays non-membres de l’UE dans le cadre de procédures de passation de marchés publics de grande ampleur. Les formulaires de notification figurent dans le règlement d’exécution relatif au RSE, qui a été adopté le [10 juillet 2023](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fr/ip_23_3747). La Commission a également publié ce jour de nouvelles [informations](https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/foreign-subsidies-regulation/practical-information_en) pratiques et techniques pour guider les entreprises dans le processus de notification.
Pour toutes les autres situations de marché, la Commission peut, à compter de ce jour, ouvrir des enquêtes de sa propre initiative (ex-officio) si elle soupçonne l’existence de subventions étrangères génératrices de distorsions, ou pour demander des notifications ad hoc en ce qui concerne des transactions de moindre envergure.
Si la Commission constate qu’il existe une subvention étrangère qui génère des distorsions sur le marché unique, elle peut imposer des mesures réparatrices structurelles ou non structurelles aux entreprises, ou les accepter comme engagements, pour remédier à la distorsion. Elle peut également interdire la réalisation d’une concentration impliquant des subventions générant des distorsions ou l’attribution d’un marché public à un soumissionnaire subventionné qui a bénéficié d’une subvention générant des distorsions.
Le RSE a été proposé par la Commission en mai 2021 et approuvé par le Parlement européen et le Conseil en juin 2022. Il est entré en vigueur en [janvier 2023](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fr/ip_23_129).
Union européenne de la santé : HERA Invest offre 100 millions d’euros pour des solutions innovantes aux menaces sanitaires
La Commission et la Banque européenne d’investissement (BEI) annoncent aujourd’hui la création d’HERA Invest, un complément de 100 millions d’euros au programme InvestEU, pour soutenir la recherche et le développement dans le contexte des menaces transfrontières les plus urgentes pour la santé, financé par le programme [EU4Health](https://health.ec.europa.eu/funding/eu4health-programme-2021-2027-vision-healthier-european-union_enhttps:/health.ec.europa.eu/funding/eu4health-programme-2021-2027-vision-healthier-european-union_en).
À l’heure actuelle, les entreprises européennes éprouvent des difficultés à accéder à des financements publics et privés suffisants pour développer des solutions de pointe dans le domaine de la santé, entre autres. L’innovation est nécessaire pour répondre aux menaces sanitaires prioritaires.
HERA Invest se concentre sur les petites et moyennes entreprises (PME) qui élaborent des contre-mesures médicales pour faire face à l’une des menaces sanitaires suivantes : agents pathogènes à potentiel pandémique ou épidémique ; menaces chimiques, biologiques, radiologiques et nucléaires résultant d’une dissémination accidentelle ou volontaire ; résistance aux antimicrobiens.
Dans le cadre du programme HERA Invest, la BEI fournira des prêts à risque couvrant au maximum 50 % du coût total des projets.
Un [communiqué de presse](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_3775) et une [fiche d’informations](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/fs_23_3776) sont disponibles en ligne.
La Commission européenne lève 4 milliards d’euros supplémentaires grâce à une sursouscription record lors de sa 8e syndication d’obligations de l’UE pour 2023
La Commission européenne, qui émet des obligations de l’UE au nom de l’Union européenne, a mené à bien aujourd’hui sa 8e opération syndiquée depuis le début de l’année, levant un total de 4 milliards d’euros. L’opération en une seule tranche a consisté en un abondement de l’obligation à 30 ans de l’UE arrivant à échéance le 4 octobre 2052. Il s’agit de la première opération du plan de financement pour le second semestre 2023, période au cours de laquelle la Commission a l’intention de lever 40 milliards d’euros de fonds à long terme.
La demande des investisseurs pour les obligations de l’UE a été extrêmement forte, l’opération ayant attiré des offres pour un montant total de plus de 73 milliards d’euros, soit un taux de sursouscription supérieur à 18 fois, le plus élevé jamais enregistré dans une syndication de l’UE.
Le produit de cette opération sera utilisé pour le programme de relance NextGenerationEU et le programme d’assistance macrofinancière+ en faveur de l’Ukraine, conformément à l’approche de la Commission consistant à émettre des obligations sous l’appellation unique ‘obligations de l’UE’ plutôt que sous des dénominations différentes en fonction des programmes.
Depuis janvier 2023, la Commission européenne émet des obligations sous l’appellation unique ‘obligations de l’UE’, plutôt que sous des dénominations différentes en fonction des programmes. Le produit de ces obligations sous appellation unique est ensuite affecté aux programmes concernés selon les procédures définies dans les accords applicables.
Une vue d’ensemble des transactions exécutées à ce jour par la Commission est disponible [en ligne](https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget/eu-borrower-investor-relations/transactions-data_en). Un aperçu détaillé des opérations de l’UE prévues pour le second semestre de 2023 figure également dans le [plan de financement de l’UE](https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/eu-budget/eu-borrower-investor-relations/funding-plans_en).
Plus de détails figurent dans le [communiqué de presse](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3772).
InvestEU lance 250 millions d’euros d’investissements dans le logement social abordable, les compétences et les entreprises sociales avec la Banque de développement du Conseil de l’Europe
Le comité d’investissement InvestEU a approuvé une nouvelle garantie, portant à cinq le total des opérations financées par la Banque de développement du Conseil de l’Europe (CEB) et soutenues par InvestEU. Le montant total de la garantie InvestEU approuvée pour les projets de la CEB a ainsi atteint 80 millions d’euros.
Les projets de la CEB devraient mobiliser 252,5 millions d’euros de financement pour le logement social abordable, l’éducation et la formation, ainsi que les secteurs de la microfinance et du financement des entreprises sociales. Ces cinq opérations bénéficient de l’accord de garantie InvestEU que la Commission européenne et la CEB ont signé en novembre 2022.
Parmi les cinq opérations, il y a un cadre qui mettra 100 millions d’euros de financement de la CEB soutenu par le [programme InvestEU](https://investeu.europa.eu/index_en) à disposition pour fournir des microfinancements et soutenir les organisations de l’économie sociale dans l’ensemble de l’Union européenne. Les quatre autres projets soutenus sont les suivants: (1) « Finance sociale » en Irlande; (2) « Éducation et intégration des jeunes» en France; ainsi que (3) « Logement social et abordable » et (4) « Éducation et formation au travail social », tous deux en Espagne.
Paolo Gentiloni, commissaire à l’économie, a déclaré: « Nous sommes confrontés à d’énormes besoins d’investissement au cours des prochaines années afin d’atteindre nos objectifs communs de l’UE, qui incluent la construction d’une Europe sociale forte. InvestEU est un outil précieux pour soutenir les progrès dans cette direction, en encourageant et en soutenant les entreprises et les emplois, y compris dans l’économie sociale. Je suis fier que, grâce à cet accord, nous renforcions notre coopération avec la Banque de développement du Conseil de l’Europe, en soutenant la croissance et l’inclusion sociale. »
Nicolas Schmit, commissaire à l’emploi et aux droits sociaux, a déclaré: « Le logement abordable est un problème aigu dans de nombreuses régions de l’UE. Ce partenariat InvestEU avec la Banque de développement du Conseil de l’Europe apportera des investissements indispensables dans le logement social abordable, ainsi que des financements pour les entreprises sociales et les organisations bénévoles et communautaires. »
Le [programme InvestEU](https://investeu.europa.eu/index_en) fournit à l’UE un financement à long terme en mobilisant des fonds privés et publics à l’appui des priorités stratégiques de l’UE. Dans le cadre du programme, le Fonds InvestEU est mis en œuvre par l’intermédiaire de partenaires financiers qui investiront dans des projets utilisant la garantie du budget de l’UE, mobilisant ainsi au moins 372 milliards d’euros d’investissements supplémentaires.
Un communiqué de presse est disponible [en ligne](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3803).
Culture Moves Europe: Commission awards mobility grants to artists and cultural professionals
Today, following the first call offering individual mobility grants, 1,802 artists and cultural professionals got the opportunity to go abroad with [Culture Moves Europe](https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/creative-europe-culture-strand/culture-moves-europe).
The successful applicants are residents of one of the 40 [Creative Europe](https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe) programme countries, and will benefit from travel and subsistence costs as well as individual top-ups to connect and create art with other artists, participate in non-formal learning, or explore Europe’s rich cultural heritage in another Creative Europe programme country.
Margaritis Schinas, Vice President for Promoting our European Way of Life, said: “I warmly congratulate all those who have been selected and am looking forward to learning about the projects they will realise. The vast majority of the applications we have received under this call came from the visual and performing arts, followed by the music sector – this is great. I would also like to call specifically on the other sectors, on architecture, cultural heritage, design, fashion design, and literary translation: Culture Moves Europe is for all of you, to travel, exchange and create the art and culture Europe is famous for. And I am particularly delighted that more than 130 Ukrainian artists were selected for a grant. Together, let us shape a Europe where art and culture defy war and know no bounds.”
Launched in 2022, this new permanent funding action of the [Creative Europe Programme](https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/creative-europe-culture-strand/culture-moves-europe) has already demonstrated its relevance for the cultural and creative sectors, receiving a total of 4,665 applications (representing 7,689 individuals) during its first open call. With a budget of €21 million and implemented by the Goethe-Institut, Culture Moves Europe will award 7,000 grants to artists and cultural professionals, as well as organisations wishing to offer residency programmes for artists, until 2025. Rolling calls for all sectors that Culture Moves Europe covers are open every year between autumn and spring. The next calls for individual mobility and for residencies will be launched in October 2023.
More information about today’s Culture Moves Europe call results is available [here](https://culture.ec.europa.eu/news/culture-moves-europe-individual-mobility-more-than-1800-beneficiaries-selected).
Mergers: Commission fines Illumina and GRAIL for implementing their acquisition without prior merger control approval
The European Commission has fined Illumina and GRAIL approximately €432 million and €1,000 respectively, for implementing their proposed merger before approval by the Commission, in breach of EU merger control rules.
EU merger rules require that merging companies not to implement mergers until approved by the Commission (“the standstill obligation”). It is a cornerstone of the European merger control system, that enables the Commission to carry-out its role before structural changes modify the competitive landscape.
In [July 2021](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_21_3844), the Commission opened an in-depth investigation into Illumina’s acquisition of GRAIL. In [September 2022](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5364), the Commission blocked the transaction over concerns that it would have significant anticompetitive effects, stifling innovation and reducing choice in the emerging market for blood-based early cancer detection tests.
In today’s decision, the Commission confirms its preliminary view that Illumina and GRAIL intentionally breached the standstill obligation. The Commission found that by closing the transaction Illumina was able to exercise a decisive influence over GRAIL and it actually exercised it.
In particular, the Commission found that: (i) Illumina strategically weighted the risk of a gun-jumping fine against the risk of having to pay a high break-up fee if it failed to takeover GRAIL; and (ii) GRAIL was fully aware of the standstill obligation and yet played an active role in the infringement.
Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager, in charge of competition policy, said: “If companies merge before our clearance, they breach our rules. Illumina and GRAIL knowingly and deliberately did so by implementing their tie-up as we were still investigating. Today’s decision to fine both companies, for a total amount of €432 million, shows that this is a very serious infringement.”
A press release is available [online](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3773).
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, subject to conditions
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the proposed acquisition of VMware by Broadcom. The approval is conditional upon full compliance with the commitments offered by Broadcom.
Today’s decision follows an [in-depth investigation](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7835) of the proposed acquisition. The Commission’s in-depth investigation confirmed that the transaction, as initially notified, would harm competition in the worldwide market for the supply of Fibre Channel Host-Bus Adapters (‘FC HBAs’).
To address the Commission’s competition concerns in the worldwide market for the supply of FC HBAs, Broadcom offered the following comprehensive access and interoperability commitments to Marvell and to any potential future entrant: (i) guaranteed access to the interoperability Application Programming Interfaces as well as to the materials, tools and technical support necessary for the development and certification of third-party FC HBAs; and (ii) guaranteed access to the source code for all of Broadcom’s current and future FC HBA drivers through an irrevocable open source license. Furthermore, Broadcom committed to implementing an organisational separation between the team working on Broadcom’s FC HBAs and the team in charge of third-party certification and technical support.
The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition, as modified by the commitments, would no longer raise competition concerns and would maintain competition on the market for FC HBAs.
Executive Vice-President Vestager in charge of competition policy, said: “Broadcom holds a very strong position in the market for the supply of certain hardware components. VMware is a key server virtualisation software provider. By acquiring VMware, Broadcom could restrict or degrade interoperability between VMware’s leading server virtualization software and some competing hardware components. But the commitments offered by Broadcom will enable its only rival Marvell, to continue competing on equal footing and ensure a similar protection for any future entrants.”
A press release is available [online](https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3777).
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of OMV by ÖBAG and ADNOC
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control of OMV Aktiengesellschaft (‘OMV’) by Österreichische Beteiligungs AG (‘ÖBAG’), both of Austria and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (‘ADNOC’) of Abu Dhabi.
OMV is a global energy and petrochemicals group. ÖBAG is an autonomous state-owned holding company which administers state investments. ADNOC is a global energy and petrochemicals group.
The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, given the companies’ limited combined market position resulting from the proposed transaction. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission’s [competition](http://ec.europa.eu/competition/index_en.html) website, in the public [case register](https://competition-cases.ec.europa.eu/search) under the case number [M. 11115](https://competition-cases.ec.europa.eu/cases/M.11115).
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EU-Japan Summit: towards an ever stronger strategic partnership
On 13 July, European Council President CharlesMichel and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will represent the European Union at the [EU-Japan Summit](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2023/07/13/) in Brussels. Japan will be represented by its Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida.
The EU and Japan will discuss security challenges in their respective neighbourhoods, including Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and its impact on the global economy, and other threats to the international rules-based order. In addition to progress on trade issues, leaders will discuss the EU and Japan’s cooperation in digital technologies, efforts to create diversified, sustainable, and reliable supply chains, as well as to strengthen economic security, the fight against climate change, and the joint efforts towards high quality and sustainable infrastructure projects in third countries under the Global Gateway Strategy.
Presidents Michel and von der Leyen will participate in a joint press point, together with Prime Minister Kishida, following the Summit, which can be followed [live on EbS](https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/ebs/live/1) at ca. 14:00 CEST.
The EU and Japan have worked together ever more closely since establishing diplomatic relations in 1974. The EU-Japan partnership is underpinned by the [Strategic Partnership Agreement](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex%3A22018A0824%2801%29) and the [Economic Partnership Agreement](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/japan/eu-japan-agreement_en) signed in 2018. Japan is the first partner country with which the EU has concluded a [Connectivity Partnership](https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/partnership-sustainable-connectivity-and-quality-infrastructure-between-european-union-and_en), a [Green Alliance](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/05/27/eu-japan-green-alliance/), or a [Digital Partnership](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/56091/%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E7%89%88-jp-eu-digital-partnership-clean-final-docx.pdf).
For more information about EU-Japan relations, consult the [website of the EU Delegation](https://eeas.europa.eu/delegations/japan_en).
EU-LAC Forum: youth, civil society and local authorities kick-start discussions to build a sustainable and inclusive future for both regions at the EU-CELAC summit
Around 250 youth, civil society and local authorities representatives from the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean are meeting on 13 and 14 July in Brussels to kick-start discussions ahead of the EU-CELAC Summit, on how to build a sustainable and inclusive future for both regions during the EU-LAC Forum.
Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, will open the Forum on 13 July at 15:30 CEST, together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, José Manuel Albares; and the Minister of Racial Equality of Brazil, Anielle Franco.
The EU-LAC Forum is organised in the context of the EU-LAC Days, one of the key side eventsof the [EU-CELAC Summit on 17 and 18 July](https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2023/07/17-18/), together with the Business Forum, with a devoted ‘Youth Day’ on 13 July.
The overall objective of the Forum is to allow for an inclusive exchange between youth, civil society, and local authorities on both sides of the Atlantic on how both regions can become partners of choice, in line with the new Investment Agenda EU-CELAC supported under the Global Gateway – which is expected to be launched at the Summit.
Discussions over the two days will focus on issues such as social cohesion and inequalities, education, health, culture, gender, youth, human rights and democracy, sustainable and inclusive economy, and just and fair green and digital transitions. The outcome of discussions will crystalise in concrete recommendations addressed to the leaders ahead of the Summit.
The Forum is also a key platform to foster closer cooperation between non-state actors and youth organisations from both regions. Check the agenda of the Forum [here](https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/eu-latin-america-and-caribbean-forum-partners-change_en).
[Tentative agendas](https://ec.europa.eu/transparency/documents-register/search?query=eyJjYXRlZ29yeU9iamVjdHMiOltdLCJjYXRlZ29yaWVzIjpbXSwidHlwZU9iamVjdHMiOltdLCJ0eXBlcyI6W10sImRlcGFydG1lbnRPYmplY3RzIjpbXSwiZGVwYXJ0bWVudHMiOltdLCJsYW5ndWFnZSI6ImVuIiwia2V5d29yZHNTZWFyY2hUeXBlIjoiQUxMIiwidGFyZ2V0IjoiVElUTEVfQU5EX0NPTlRFTlQiLCJzb3J0QnkiOiJET0NVTUVOVF9EQVRFX0RFU0MiLCJpc1JlZ3VsYXIiOnRydWUsImtleXdvcmRzIjoibGlzdGUgZGVzIHBvaW50cyBwcsOpdnVzIiwicmVmZXJlbmNlIjoiIiwicGFnZSI6MX0%3D) for forthcoming Commission meetings
Note that these items can be subject to changes.
[Upcoming events](https://ec.europa.eu/info/events_en) of the European Commission
[Eurostat](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/main/news/news-articles) press releases
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