Europe Daily News, 05 June 2020

EU CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

HEALTH

• Speech by Von der Leyen: EU pledges new funding to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
• Presentations - Webinar on COVID-19 and Rare Liver diseases (4 June 2020)
• Summary report - 22nd Health Security Committee on COVID-19 outbreak (28 May 2020)

ENVIRONMENT

• Coronavirus: The Commission and the European Space Agency launch a new platform to monitor green and sustainable recovery - Midday Express

STATE AID

• COVID-19 pandemic: EFTA - ESA approves Norwegian aid in the telecommunications sector

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Information from the Commission concerning the non-application of certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2020/698 by Sweden, Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Luxembourg, Austria, Bulgaria and Malta COVID-19 outbreak
• Answer given by Ms Gabriel to a MEP written question -  Support for European Solidarity Corps volunteers during the COVID-19 crisis 

AGRICULTURE

• Answer given by the Commission to a MEP written question - Support for EU farmers hit by the the COVID-19 pandemic
• WTO - Committee on Agriculture - Ad hoc report on COVID-19 measures taken by the EU (including by its member States) in the agricultural sector - Submission by the European Union

TRANSPORT & MOBILITY

• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/745 of 4 June 2020 amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1042 as regards postponing dates of application of certain measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2020/746 of 4 June 2020 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as regards postponing dates of application of certain measures in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

ECONOMY

• The economy and coronavirus: Weekly Picks - Briefing for the EP ECON Committee

INFORMATION SOCIETY

• Speech of Vice President Věra Jourová on countering disinformation amid COVID-19 “From pandemic to infodemic”
• Tech answers to COVID-19 should also safeguard fundamental right - see Fundamental Rights Agency Statement

COMPETITION 

• Commission clears acquisition of joint control over Heideasphalt by Deutsche Asphalt and KEMNA BAU (M.9666) - Midday Express
• Germany - Bundeskartellamt - List of Notified Merger Projects
• Latvia - The Competition Council develops a self-assessment tool for entrepreneurs for mitigation of cartel risks
  

STATE AID

• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections
• State aid - Belgium - State aid SA.43147 (2019/C) (ex 2019/NN) - Complaint against the Walloon Region for alleged unlawful aid to Renewi - Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 108(2) of the TFEU
• State aid - Germany - State aid SA.44944 (2019/C) (ex 2019/FC) and SA.53552 (2019/C) (ex 2019/FC) – Tax treatment of public casinos operators in Germany and Alleged guarantee for public casinos operators in Germany - Invitation to submit comments pursuant to Article 108(2) of the TFEU
• State Aid weekly e-news - No.20/20 - Covers from 29 May to 4 June 2020

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Agenda for the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs , Committee on International Trade of 12 May 2020
• Minutes of the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs , Committee on International Trade of 25 May 2020
• EU-China trade and investment relations in challenging times - See the EP Study
• Alternatives for the ‘Energy and Raw Materials Chapters' in EU trade agreements - An inclusive approach - See the Study
• Anchoring climate and environmental protection in EU trade agreements - Exemplary elements - See the Study

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY 

• Judgment of the Court of 4 June 2020 in Case C-301/18, Thomas Leonhard Vs. DSL-Bank – eine Niederlassung der DB Privat- und Firmenkundenbank AG
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Consumer protection - Directive 2002/65/EC - Distance loan agreement - Right of withdrawal - Consequences - Article 7(4) - Return of the services received - Payment of compensation for benefit of use - Supplier’s obligation - Precluded
• Regulation (EU) 2020/740 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 May 2020 on the labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other parameters, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1222/200
• Council Conclusions on "Space for a sustainable Europe"
• Impact assessment within the Council - 2020 Annual Report - endorsement

FINANCIAL SERVICES

• Agenda for: Financial Counsellors Working Party Meeting of 08 June 2020
• Agenda for: Working Party on Financial Services (Motor Vehicle Insurance - Attachés only) of 10 June 2020
• EBA launches consultation on technical standards on capital requirements of non-modellable risks under the FRTB
• EBA starts delivering on the implementation of the new regulatory framework for investments firms
• ESMA updates reporting instructions for MMF reporting
• ESMA announces new methodology for peer reviews
• ESMA provides guidance on the compliance function under MiFID II

TAXATION

• Answer given by Mr Gentiloni to a MEP written question - Protecting Italy from unfair tax competition within the EU

AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES

• Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee for Common organisation of Agricultural Markets - Arable crops on 28 May 2020

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL POLICY

• Supporting coaches in acquiring skills and competences: Council adopts conclusions

ENERGY

• Discussion Paper - Subject: Possible amendments to Commission Delegated Regulations with regard to energy labelling and Commission Regulations with regard to ecodesign

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Minutes of the SCHEER WG on E-cigarettes and WoE of 05 February 2020
• Forest fires: Commission adds planes to rescEU fleet to prepare for summer - IP/20/1005
• Investment plan: European Investment Bank to co-finance the construction of the Fecamp offshore wind farm to the tune of EUR 450 million - IP/20/1020

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

• EFSA - ‘Food safety is everyone’s business, now and in the future’ – celebrating World Food Safety Day 2020
• EFSA - Safety evaluation of the food enzyme endo‐1,4‐β‐xylanase from the genetically modified Trichoderma reesei strain RF5427
• Outcome of the consultation with Member States and EFSA on the basic substance application for approval of:
  - willow stem infusion to be used in plant protection as a plant growth regulator
  - Equisetum arvense L.for the extension of use in plant protection against fungal diseases on horticulture and vegetable crops

DATA PRIVACY

• Finnish DPA imposes administrative fine for several deficiencies in personal data processing - see EDPB Statement

JUSTICE & CONSUMER

• Judgment of the Court of 4 June 2020 in Case C-495/19, Kancelaria Medius SA z siedzibą w Krakowie Vs. RN
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Consumer protection - Directive 93/13/EEC - Article 7(1) - Consumer credit - Review of whether the contractual terms are unfair - Failure of the consumer to appear at the hearing - Scope of the court’s powers and obligations
• Fundamental rights: Commission proposes amended rules for the Fundamental Rights Agency
• Returning to free movement across borders is of utmost importance - See the EP Statement

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

• ECB boosts bond-buying stimulus package by €600bn - Central bank ratchets up efforts to prevent eurozone slipping into deflationary spiral - Financial Times
  - Introductory statement to the press conference (with Q&A) by Christine Lagarde and Luis de Guindos
  - Monetary policy decisions
• Merkel leads a bolder eurozone crisis response - ECB shows its resolve after Berlin’s well-designed stimulus plan - Financial Times 

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Answer given to a MEP written question - EU-Russia relations and the Central African Republic