Europe Daily News, 13 May 2022

EU COVID-19 RESPONSE

HEALTH

• Global response to COVID-19 and beyond: Commission steps up funding to vaccination roll-out in Africa - IP/22/3035
• Statement by President von der Leyen and President Biden on occasion of the second Global COVID-19 Summit
• Speech by President von der Leyen at the second Global COVID-19 Summit, co-hosted by the United States, Belize, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal, via video message
• Answer given by Ms Kyriakides to a MEP written question - Adverse event reporting (AER) to EudraVigilance during the Covid-19 pandemic
• Answer given by Ms Kyriakides to a MEP written question - Vaccine prices negotiated by the Commission
• Answer given by Ms Kyriakides to a MEP written question - Distribution of vaccines to third countries under the COVAX programme

STATE AID 

• Commission approves €93 million Flemish scheme to support uncovered fixed costs of companies affected by the coronavirus pandemic (SA.102421) - Midday Express

COMPETITION

• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.10690 - Nordic Capital / Ellos Group)
• Commission clears acquisition of Boskalis by HAL (M.10706) - Midday Express
• Austria - Sector inquiry into EV charging infrastructure: AFCA launches comprehensive market inquiry
• Belgium - The Belgian Competition Authority approves the acquisition of Vinçotte Inter NV by Kiwa NV
• Belgium - Notification CONC-CC-22/0002: Rexel Belgium NV/ CLG NV-Trilec
• Cyprus - Notification of a concentration in relation to the acquisition by X.A. Papaellinas Emporiki Ltd of the activity of the hypermarket and cafι-restaurant Costas which belong to Kostas I. Kyriakou & Yioi Limited
• Denmark - Peugeot Dealer Association pays fine in competition case
• France - The General Rapporteur of the Autorité de la concurrence indicates that unannounced inspections have been carried out in the agricultural supply sector
• UK - CMA: Anticipated merger between Noble Corporation and Maersk Drilling - Decision that undertakings might be accepted

STATE AID

• Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections
• Spain - The CNMC recommends the Autonomous Regions to avoid territorial requirements on the intermediaries of the MOVES III Plan aid for the purchase of electric vehicles

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• New features on the Access2Markets portal - Launched on 10 May 2022
• Notice of initiation of an anti-subsidy proceeding concerning imports of fatty acid originating in Indonesia (CN: ex 2915 70 40, ex 2915 70 50, ex 2915 90 30, ex 2915 90 70, ex 2916 15 00, ex 3823 11 00, ex 38 23 12 00, ex 3823 19 10 and ex 3823 19 90)
• Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of Stainless Steel Refillable Kegs originating in the People’s Republic of China (CN: ex 7310 10 00 and ex 7310 29 90)
• Notice of the impending expiry of certain anti-dumping measures (Certain cast iron articles - The People’s Republic of China - Regulation (EU) 2018/140 - 31.1.2023) 
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/731 of 12 May 2022 amending Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1266 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of biodiesel originating in the United States of America and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/1267 imposing definitive countervailing duties on imports of biodiesel originating in the United States of America
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/733 of 12 May 2022 correcting certain language versions of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/983 imposing a provisional anti-dumping duty on imports of aluminium converter foil originating in the People’s Republic of China and of Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/2170 imposing a definitive anti-dumping duty on imports of aluminium converter foil originating in the People’s Republic of China
• Commission to establish Solidarity Lanes to help Ukraine export agricultural goods - IP/22/3002 & Politico.eu 
  - Communication from the Commission: An Action Plan for EU-Ukraine Solidarity Lanes to facilitate Ukraine's agricultural export and bilateral trade with the EU 
  - Commission Decision on the signing of a High-Level Understanding between the EU and Ukraine on indicative maps of the Trans-European transport network in Ukraine 
• The European Commission’s trade sustainability impact assessments: a critical review - See GreenPeace Study
• The importance of the transatlantic partnership - Joint Statement 10 May 2022

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Draft Council conclusions on "European Missions"  with a view to the Research working party meeting on 18 May 2022 
• EU-backed astronomers reveal the first image of the black hole at the heart of our galaxy - Midday Express
• Commissioner Breton in Finland to discuss defence and industrial policy - Midday Express

FINANCIAL SERVICES

• Opinion of Advocate General Giovanni Pitruzzella of 12 May 2022 in Case C-562/20, SIA 'Rodl & Partner' Vs. Valsts ieņēmumu dienests
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Prevention of the use of the financial system for the purpose of money laundering and terrorist financing - Directive (EU) 2015/849 - Risk assessment carried out by reporting entities - Automatic application of enhanced due diligence measures - Third country with a high risk of corruption - Publication of sanctions
• Open finance framework – enabling data sharing and third party access in the financial sector - Public consultation - Consultation period: 10 May 2022 - 02 August 2022
• ESMA has elected a new member to its Management Board to replace an outgoing member who has stepped down from her position
• The EBA has designed an efficient framework for reporting of deposits subject to Russian and Belarusian economic sanctions

TAXATION

• Opinion of Advocate General Medina of 12 May 2022 in Case C-235/21, Raiffeisen Leasing, trgovina in leasing d.o.o. Vs .Republika Slovenija
  Re: Reference for a preliminary ruling - Common system of VAT - Directive 2006/112/EC - Article 203 - Sale and leaseback - Article 226 - Information which must be included in the invoice - Whether a written contract may be treated as an invoice

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL POLICY

• Answer given by Mr Schmit to a MEP written question - Cost of Green Deal in terms of jobs
  

AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES

• Investment Plan for Europe supports Estonian dairy producer to expand production and promote sustainable agriculture - IP/22/3031
• Commissioner Wojciechowski participates in the meetings of the G7 ministers of agriculture - Midday Express

ENERGY

• Answer given by Ms McGuinness to a MEP written question - Nord Stream 2 – Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Climate and Environmental Protection Foundation
  
• Answer given by Ms Simson to a MEP written question - Additional measures regarding the EU’s emergency energy supply
  
• European gas prices soar after Moscow imposes sanctions on EU energy companies - Financial Times
• Italy’s PM Draghi floats creation of oil consumer ‘cartel’ after Biden talks - Remarks follow meeting with US president on energy markets triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine - Financial Times

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

• Agenda for: Working Party on International Environment Group (Biodiversity) of 16 May 2022
• Environmental Liability Directive (evaluation) - Evaluation - Feedback period - 12 May 2022 - 04 August 2022
• Communication from the Commission - Publication of the total number of allowances in circulation in 2021 for the purposes of the Market Stability Reserve under the EU Emissions Trading System established by Directive 2003/87/EC and of the number of unallocated allowances during the period 2013-2020
• Imagining sustainable futures for Europe - A co-creation project of the EEA and its country network Eionet - EEA Statement

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

• European Health Union: Commission report finds patients' rights in cross-border healthcare well protected but challenges remain - Midday Express

DIGITAL INFORMATION SOCIETY

• Agenda for: Working Party on Telecommunications & Information Society of 17 May 2022
• Minutes of 2nd informal meeting of eCommerce expert group of 06 April 2022

DATA PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

• Commission welcomes political agreement on new rules on cybersecurity of network and information systems - IP/22/2985
• Strengthening EU-wide cybersecurity and resilience – provisional agreement by the Council and the European Parliament

TRANSPORT & MOBILITY

• Commissioner Vălean visits Berlin at the beginning of next week to address current and future transport issues - Midday Express
• Answer given by Ms Vălean to a MEP written question - Irresponsible experiment ‘Fit For 55’ for the transport sector

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY & JUSTICE

• Police cooperation: the Commission proposes signature and conclusion of an international Agreement with New Zealand - Midday Express
• Operation against drug traffickers in Italy, Spain and Netherlands: 24 arrests - See Eurojust Statement
• First discussion on migrant smuggling with South Partner Countries - See Eurojust Statement

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

• Central bank digital currency and bank intermediation - ECB Occasional Paper Series - No.293

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Agenda for: Foreign Affairs Council of 16 May 2022 - see list of “A Items” 
• Agenda for: Foreign Affairs Council (Defence) of 17 May 2022
• Agenda for: EU-Canada Joint Ministerial Committee meeting of 16 May 2022
• Report by MEP Dragoş Tudorache on the implementation of the EU Association Agreement with the Republic of Moldova
• Judgment of the Court of 12 May 2022 in Case C-242/21 P, Évariste Boshab Vs. Council of the European Union
  Re: Appeal - Common foreign and security policy - Restrictive measures directed against certain persons and entities with regard to the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo - Regulation (EC) No 1183/2005 - Articles 2b and 9(2) - Decision 2010/788/CFSP - Articles 3(2) and 9(2) - Continued inclusion of the applicant on the lists of persons and entities concerned -Decision (CFSP) 2018/1940 - Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1931 - Right to be heard"
• Political and Security Committee Decision (CFSP) 2022/734 of 10 May 2022 extending the mandate of the Head of Mission of the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo 
• Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/735 of 12 May 2022 amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/1200 in order to bring forward the end of the term of office of the current Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union and to bring forward the appointment of the next Chairman of the Military Committee of the European Union
• Statement by President Charles Michel during his visit to Hiroshima

RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

• FAQs on public procurement sanctions against Russia
• Digital finance: Commission marks launch of the Fintech Challenge for Ukraine - Midday Express  
• Ukraine: EU is stepping up support to sexual and gender-based violence survivors (€1.5 million) - Midday Express
• Answer given by Vice-President Jourová to a MEP written question - Banning Russia Today and Sputnik
• Answer given by Ms Kyriakides to a MEP written question - Safe importation of pets from Ukraine into the European Union
• Answer given by Ms McGuinness to a MEP written question - Impact on the credit insurance sector of Western sanctions against Russia
• EU considers shelving ban on Russian oil as Hungary blocks sanctions - Diplomats accept cutting the oil ban from the EU’s new sanctions package would be a blow - Politico.eu