Daily News 21 / 12 / 2016

European Commission - Daily News
Daily News 21 / 12 / 2016
Brussels, 21 December 2016
Security Union: Commission steps up the fight against terrorist financing
Today, the European Commission has adopted a package of measures to strengthen the EU's capacity
to fight the financing of terrorism and organised crime, delivering on the commitments made in the
Action Plan against terrorist financing from February 2016. The proposals will complete and reinforce
the EU's legal framework in the areas of money laundering, illicit cash flows and the freezing and
confiscation of assets. Presented alongside the third Progress Report on the Security Union, today's
proposals will ensure a strong and coordinated European response in the fight against terrorism
financing and organised crime, bringing the EU one step closer towards an effective and genuine
Security Union. The proposals aim to make it harder for terrorists and criminals to finance their
activities whilst making it easier for the authorities to detect and stop their financial movements. They
consist of three new legislations. First, a Directive to criminalise money laundering will set common
minimum rules concerning the definition of criminal offences and sanctions in the area of money
launderingwhich will make it easier and more effective for judicial and law enforcement authorities to
pursue complex money laundering cases. Secondly, the current ruleson cash entering and leaving the
EU will be updated to make them more robust and to give customs authorities more scope to act when
there are indications that cash is related to criminal activity.Finally, the Regulation on the mutual
recognition of criminal asset freezing and confiscation orders making it possible to prevent criminals
and terrorists from using their funds. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans stated: "With today's
proposals we strengthen our legal means to disrupt and cut off financial sourcesof criminals and
terrorists. We must ensure we have the right tools in place to detect and stop suspicious financial flows
and to support better cooperation between law enforcement authorities so that we can better protect
the security of European citizens." Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said: "Terrorism remains a
major threat to our safety. We must stay a step ahead to stop terrorists in their tracks and the fight
against terrorism financing is part of it. That's why today we are proposing that money laundering be
subject to effective criminal sanctions right across the EU. We are proposing cross-border freezing and
confiscation of criminal assets within the EU, and putting an end to criminals circumventing cash
controls at the EU's external borders." Security is one of the priorities of the Juncker Commission. After
adopting the European Agenda on Security in 2015, , the Commission identified the cutting of
terrorists' access to funds as one of the priority actions to be taken to complete an efficient and
sustainable EU Security Union in April 2016. A press release and Q&As are available here. (For more
information: Tove Ernst – Tel.: +32 229-86764; Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Patrick
McCullough – Tel.: +32 229-87183; Mélanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 58659)
Security Union: Commission proposes to reinforce the Schengen Information System to
better fight terrorism and cross-border crime
The Commission is today proposing to strengthen the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the
Schengen Information System (SIS), as announced in the Communication setting out the way forward
towards the achievement of an effective and sustainable EU Security Union and as reiterated in
President Juncker's State of the Union Address. Consulted 2.9 billion times in 2015, SIS is the most
widely used information sharing system for border management and security in Europe. The proposed
improvements will further enhance the ability of the system to fight terrorism and cross-border crime,
improve border and migration management and ensure an effective information exchange between
Member States to increase the security of European citizens. Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs
and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said: "With today's proposals, we extend the scope of the
Schengen Information System to close information gaps and improve information exchange on
terrorism, cross-border crime and irregular migration – contributing to a stronger control of our
external borders and an effective and sustainable EU Security Union. In the future, no critical
information should ever be lost on potential terrorist suspects or irregular migrants crossing our
external borders." Commissioner for the Security Union, Julian King, said: "The Schengen Information
System is central to Europe's internal security. Today's measures will deliver important technical and
operational improvements so it's easier to detect and identify those who wish us harm. It will also
improve cooperation and information sharing between Member States and with relevant EU agencies.
Much more remains to be done though: SIS is only as good as the data inputted into it. We'll bring
forward further improvements in 2017." A press release, a Q&A and a factsheet are available. (For
more information: Tove Ernst – Tel.: +32 229 86764; Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32 22980423)
Visa reciprocity with the U.S. and Canada: Commission reports on recent developments
The European Commission is today reporting on progress towards achieving full visa reciprocity with
Canada and the United States, evaluating the developments over the past five months. Since the last
report, following contacts at political and technical level, the EU and Canada have agreed a clear
timeline for achieving full visa waiver reciprocity. There have, however, not been comparable
indications of progress with the United States, despite sustained efforts. Migration, Home Affairs, and
Citizenship Commissioner, Dimitris Avramopoulos, said: "Guaranteeing full visareciprocity with
Canada and the U.S. remains a priority for the EU. That is why I welcome the commitment and
decision of the Canadian authorities to ensure full visa reciprocity for all EU citizens by 1 December
2017. This progress proves that our diplomatic contacts and negotiations have delivered important
results. Similarly, we will continue keeping this issue high on the agenda with the new U.S.
administration and will continue reiterating the importance of achieving full visa reciprocity for all EU
citizens with the U.S. as well." Today's stock-taking follows the Communications adopted in April and
July, in which the Commission noted that full visa waiver reciprocity with Canada and the United States
had not been achieved for citizens of some EU Member States and announced that it would report back
on further progress made in the discussions before the end of the year. A press release and a Q&A are
available. (For more information: Tove Ernst – Tel.: +32 229 86764; Markus Lammert – Tel.: +32
22980423)
Commission proposes to modernise the Customs Union with Turkey
The European Commission asked the Council for a mandate to launch talks with Turkey to modernise
the existing 20-year-old EU-Turkey Customs Union. The upgrade of the EU-Turkey trade relation forms
an essential part of the efforts made by the EU and Turkey to deepen their relations in key areas of
joint interest identified at the EU-Turkey Summit of 29 November 2015 and in the EU-Turkey
statement of 18 March 2016. By making this proposal, the Commission continues to deliver on the
commitments it has made. Turkey is the EU's 5th largest trading partner, and modernising the
Customs Union to reflect current EU-Turkey trade relations would bring substantial economic benefits
for both partners. The modernisation and extension of the Customs Union could unlock further
opportunities for EU companies in the agri-food and services sectors and the public procurement
market. Respect of democracy and fundamental rights will be an essential element of the agreement. A
full press release is available online. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185;
Axel Fougner - Tel.: +32 229 57276)
VAT: Commission proposes options for Member States to derogate from the current EU
system, under certain conditions
The Commission has today put forward a proposal which, if adopted, would enable EU Member States
to apply a different VAT system to the rules currently in force across the EU. In order to protect the
Internal Market, this derogation would be available only under certain strict conditions. Currently, all
businesses in the production and supply chain of goods are partly responsible for the collection of VAT.
Today's proposal for an optional General Reverse Charge Mechanism ('reverse charge') means that EU
countries would be able to apply temporarily a system which derogates from the current fractionated
payment of VAT. Sales between businesses of more than €10,000 could be invoiced free of VAT, with
only the final consumer being liable for the full VAT costs. This proposal comes at the request of certain
Member States who argue that such a mechanism would help to put an end to a specific type of crossborder tax fraud known as carousel fraud which involves goods being sold back and forth between
businesses in different countries. While VAT is charged on some of the transactions, the revenue does
not find its way to the national authorities. Following the adoption, Commissioner for Economic and
Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs Union, Pierre Moscovici said: "Some Member States have
expressed the wish to use an optional general reverse charge mechanism for VAT on their domestic
market. Today, we are fulfilling our promise to deliver on this proposal, while setting out principles to
ensure the integrity of the internal market. The first priority for this Commission is to put in place a
definitive VAT system for the EU based on the destination principle. Once again, I call on Member
States to support our ongoing efforts to modernise the EU's VAT system and to create a robust and
fraud-proof single European VAT area. This is the only long-term viable solution for the internal market
when national treasuries are losing €160 billion in VAT revenues every year." The full proposal takes
the form of an amendment to the so-called 'VAT Directive' and would require unanimous agreement by
all Member States to become law. More information on the VAT Action Plan from earlier this year is
available here. (For more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Patrick McCullough –
Tel.: +32 229 87183)
Commission sets out the strategic way forward for the EU's Customs Union
The European Commission today adopted its long-term plan to give fresh impetus to the management
of the Customs Union, a basic pillar of the European Union which supports and protects the Single
Market. The role of customs authorities in ensuring our safety and security in the EU is increasing. A
strong and well managed system helps to protect the public against terrorist, health, and
environmental threats while at the same time fostering and developing competitive businesses. Today's
Communication sets out a strategic vision for the Customs Union which would see cooperation among
national authorities increase in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Pierre Moscovici,
Commissioner for Economic and Financial affairs, Taxation and Customs said: "Common threats require
common actions from Europe. National customs authorities have an important role to play across the
EU to protect our interests. From trade facilitation and border security to civil protection and the fight
against the smuggling of illegal weapons and counterfeit goods, the European Commission wants to
equip national customs and their 120.000 dedicated people with the right tools to handle this crucial
mission. Next year we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Customs Union. Let's further improve
this great achievement for the years to come." A full press release is available here. (For more
information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153; Patrick McCullough – Tel.: +32 229 87183)
Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative calling for European Free Movement
Instrument
The European Commission has today registered a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) inviting the
Commission to guarantee the right of free movement for "Europeans of good standing" within the EU
through a 'Universal Instrument'. The ECI calls on the Commission to identify an appropriate method of
granting such an instrument, suggesting a unified laissez-passer document as an option. The College of
Commissioners discussed the legal admissibility of the proposed ECI and agreed that it meets all the
conditions necessary for registration under the ECI Regulation. This registration starts a one-year
process of collection of signatures in support of the proposed ECI by its organisers. The Commission's
decision to register concerns only the legal admissibility of the proposal. The substance of the initiative
has not been discussed or assessed. The conditions for admissibility, as foreseen by the ECI
Regulation, are that the proposed action does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the
Commission's powers to submit a proposal for a legal act, that it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or
vexatious and that it is not manifestly contrary to the values of the Union. Should the ECI receive one
million statements of support within one year, from at least seven different Member States, the
Commission will have to react within three months. The Commission can decide either to follow the
request or not follow the request and in both instances would be required to explain its reasoning. A
press release is available here. (For more information: Mina Andreeva – Tel.: +32 229 91382;
Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253)
Air pollution: Commission tightens screws on car emissions testing further
Member States meeting in the Technical Committee of Motor Vehicles yesterday voted by a large
majority on the latest Commission proposal to curb air pollution with Real Driving Emissions (RDE)
testing. Commissioner Elżbieta Bieńkowska, responsible for Internal Market and Industry, said: "This
is very good news. The Commission's determination to make car emissions testing increasingly robust
is paying off. Car manufacturers should seize the opportunity to sell and export environment-friendly
and internationally competitive cars. They should design cars with lower particle emissions and
introduce the necessary filters in petrol cars that are already widely used for diesel. Public health is at
stake. We have no time to lose." The third package of implementing measures on real driving
emissions tests (RDE Act 3) will extend on-the-road tests to cover particle number (PN) emissions. In
practice, this means all petrol vehicles with direct injection systems will need to introduce Gasoline
Particle Filters (GPF) to reach the particle limits under real driving tests, which will apply from
September 2017 for new vehicle types and by September 2018 for all new vehicles. RDE Act 3 also
fine-tunes the testing methods to take into account that short city trips starting with a cold engine
account for most city pollution, and will make the real-world emission performance of a car more
transparent to its owner. More information is online here as well as in the FAQs on EU legislation on
vehicle type approval and on emissions. (For more information: Lucia Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182;
Joseph Waldstein – Tel.: + 32 229 56184)
President Juncker temporarily assigns the Digital Economy and Society portfolio to VicePresident Andrus Ansip
As decided by President Juncker on 28 October 2016, Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger will be the
Commissioner responsible for Budget and Human Resources as of 1 January 2017, following VicePresident Georgieva's resignation from her post as Member of the European Commission as of 31
December 2016 at midnight. Today, President Juncker has decided to transfer temporarily, as of 1
January 2017, Commissioner Günther H. Oettinger's current portfolio of Digital Economy and Society
to Vice-President Andrus Ansip. This will come in addition to Vice-President Ansip's current
responsibilities which already entail coordinating many of the key files under this portfolio, working
closely with other Commissioners, the European Parliament and the Council on several important
proposals in this area. Given his experience, expertise and good network amongst Members of the
European Parliament, Prime Ministers and relevant Ministers, Vice-President Ansip is ideally placed to
ensure continuity in this portfolio during this temporary period. In addition, President Juncker invited
Commissioner Oettinger to work closely with Vice-President Ansip to allow an orderly transition of
this important portfolio. (For more information: Mina Andreeva – Tel.: +32 229 91382)
European Commission reprimands former Commissioner Neelie Kroes for negligent breach of
EU rules
Today, the European Commission discussed the situation concerning former Commissioner Neelie
Kroes and concluded two things: First, that she had violated the Code of Conduct of Commissioners
because she had not included in her Declaration of Interests of 2004 the fact that she held a post as
Director of Mint Holdings Limited since July 2000 – even if this activity was not effectively exercised
nor paid for. Taking note of the opinion of the Ad Hoc Ethical Committee of 16 November 2016
concerning the fact of continuing to feature in the Register as a Director, the Commission however also
concluded that Ms Kroes cannot be blamed for violating Article 245 TFEU, if she has not been and could
not reasonably have been aware of still holding the post. The Commission took note of Ms Kroes'
apologies expressed in her letters of 16 September and 26 September 2016. Second, the Commission
concluded that Ms Kroes was in breach of Article 7(4) of Regulation 422/67 in conjunction with Article
245 TFEU because she omitted to declare her income for the year 2015 whilst having accepted the
transitional allowance. She therefore did not act with the necessary diligence. The Commission further
concluded that, while it did not have sufficient elements nor legal grounds to seize the Court of Justice
of the EU regarding these breaches and to seek a financial sanction – notably in view of the fact that
the Commission has immediately recovered the money and thus prevented any loss for the budget of
the Union following the information later provided by Ms Kroes –, Ms Kroes deserved a reprimand
which the Commission expressed. Ms Kroes has been informed of the Commission's decision by a letter
of the Secretary-General of the European Commission. You can find the link to Commission decision
here. (For more information: Mina Andreeva – Tel.: +32 229 91382; Alexander Winterstein - Tel.: +32
229 93265)
State aid: Commission welcomes Court judgment in Spanish Goodwill cases
The European Commission welcomes today's judgment by the EU Court of Justice fully upholding two
Commission decisions of October 2009 and January 2011, regarding the tax amortisation of financial
goodwill for foreign shareholding acquisitions in Spain (joined cases C-20/15 P and C-21/15 P). In
doing so, the Court set aside an earlier ruling by the General Court from November 2014. The
Commission in its decisions had concluded that, by allowing companies to deduct the financial goodwill
arising from shareholdings in foreign companies from their corporate tax base, the Spanish measure
gave those companies a selective advantage over their competitors in breach of EU state aid rules.
Today's judgment confirms this finding. As a result of the judgment, the Commission decisions of
October 2009 and January 2011 are reinstated, including Spain's obligation to recover the aid granted
under the measure. The Commission will now work with the Spanish authorities to implement them. A
MEMO is available online. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Yizhou Ren –
Tel.: +32 229 94889
Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Yahoo by Verizon
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Yahoo
Holdings, Inc. by Verizon Communications Inc., both of the US. Verizon (through AOL) and Yahoo are
both active in a number of content, search, communication services and advertising services. The
Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would not raise any competition concerns given
the companies' moderate market positions, the limited increments brought by the proposed transaction
and the presence of a number of strong players providing such services. Both parties have user data
that can be used for advertising purposes. The Commission also analysed potential data concentration
as a result of the acquisition with regard to its potential impact on competition in the Single Market. It
excluded any competition concerns because a large amount of such user data will continue to be
available on the market after the transaction. The transaction was examined under the normal merger
review procedure. More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public
case register under the case number M.8180. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229
56182; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889
Concentrations: la Commission approuve l'acquisition du contrôle exclusif du groupe Aramis
par PSA
La Commission Européenne a autorisé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations,
l'acquisition du contrôle exclusifde la société française Celor SAS, tête du Groupe Aramis, par
l'entreprise française Automobiles Peugeot SA, tête du Groupe PSA. Le Groupe Aramis est actif
exclusivement en France dans la distribution de véhicules automobiles de tourisme, principalement
d'occasion. Le Groupe PSA est actif mondialement dans la fabrication, la distribution, l'entretien et la
réparation de véhicules automobiles, ainsi que le financement de véhicules automobiles. La
Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problèmes de concurrence,
compte tenu des chevauchements limités entre les activités des entreprises concernées. La transaction
a été examinée selon la procédure simplifiée de contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples
informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public
des affaires sous le numéro d'affaire M.8291. (Pour plus d'informations: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229
56182; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)
Mergers: Commission clears joint acquisition of NETTIT by BANKIA and EVERIS
The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of joint
control over Nettit Colaborative Payment, S.L. by Everis Initiatives, S.L. and Bankia, S.A., all of Spain.
Nettit is an emerging company active in the supply chain finance sector. Supply chain finance, also
known as reverse factoring, is a set of financial practices and technologies that support the trade flows
and financial processes of end-to-end business supply chains. Everis, controlled by the Japanese group
NTT Data, is active in business consulting and IT strategy solutions worldwide. Bankia provides
financial services, insurance, asset management and lending in Spain. The Commission concluded that
the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the companies' moderate
combined market shares. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure.
More information is available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register
under the case number M.8267. (For more information: Lucía Caudet – Tel. +32 229 56182; Yizhou
Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889
EUROSTAT: Protection sociale en 2014: 28,7% du PIB de l'UE consacré à la protection
sociale - Ratios les plus élevés en France et au Danemark
Depuis 2011, les dépenses de protection sociale ont légèrement augmenté dans l'Union européenne
(UE), passant de 28,3% du PIB en 2011 à 28,7% en 2014, selon les données d'Eurostat, l'office
statistique de l'Union européenne. En 2014, les deux principales sources de financement de la
protection sociale au niveau de l'UE étaient les contributions publiques provenant des impôts, comptant
pour 40% des recettes totales, et les cotisations sociales pour 54%. La moyenne de l'UE continue de
masquer de fortes disparités d'un État membre à l'autre. En 2014, les dépenses de protection sociale
représentaient au moins 30% du PIB en France (34,3%), au Danemark (33,5%), en Finlande (31,9%),
aux Pays-Bas (30,9%), en Belgique (30,3%), en Autriche ainsi qu'en Italie (30,0% chacun). En
revanche, les dépenses de protection sociale étaient inférieures à 20% du PIB en Lettonie (14,5%), en
Lituanie (14,7%), en Roumanie (14,8%), en Estonie (15,1%), en Bulgarie et en Slovaquie (18,5%
chacune), à Malte et en Pologne (19,0% chacun), en République tchèque (19,7%) et en Hongrie
(19,9%). Ces écarts reflètent des différences de niveaux de vie, mais illustrent également la diversité
des systèmes nationaux de protection sociale ainsi que des structures démographiques, économiques,
sociales et institutionnelles propres à chaque État membre. Un communiqué de presse est disponible
ici. (Pour plus d'informations: Christian Wigand – Tel.: +32 229 62253; Sara Soumillion – Tel.: + 32
229 67094)
EUROSTAT: Comment l'UE se situe-t-elle en matière d'agriculture, de sylviculture et de
pêche? - Les derniers faits et chiffres sur ces domaines
Quels États membres sont les principaux producteurs de céréales, de tomates ou de pommes? Quelle
quantité de lait de vache est collectée dans les laiteries de l'Union européenne (UE)? Quels États
membres produisent le plus de fromage, de beurre ou de crème? Et lesquels produisent le plus de
viande de bœuf, de porc ou de volaille? Combien de personnes travaillent dans le secteur agricole dans
chaque État membre de l'UE? Comment les prix ont-ils évolué au cours des dernières années? Quelle
est l'importance des ressources forestières dans l'UE? Combien de tonnes de poissons ont été capturés
et quelle est la production de l'aquaculture? Les réponses à ces questions et à bien d'autres se trouvent
dans l'édition 2016 du livre statistique sur l'agriculture, la sylviculture et la pêche, publié aujourd'hui
par Eurostat, l'office statistique de l'Union européenne. Cette publication couvre des données sur la
production et comprend un large éventail d'indicateurs tels que la taille des fermes et les prix des
produits agricoles, ainsi que des données liées à des aspects propres aux caractéristiques
environnementales de l'agriculture (par exemple les méthodes d'irrigation, l'utilisation des pesticides
ou le bois à usage énergétique). Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (Pour plus d'information:
Daniel Rosario – Tel: +32 2 29 56185; Clémence Robin – Tel: +32 229 52 509)
Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)
MEX/16/4491