Europe Daily News, 27 June 2023 | Perspectives & Events

COMPETITION

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11151 - BDT / LGP / Promach)
Communication from the Commission published pursuant to Article 27(4) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 in Case AT. 40735 - Online rail ticket distribution in Spain
Commission sends Orange and MasMovil Statement of Objections over their proposed joint venture in Spain (M.10896) - IP/23/321
Commission authorises acquisition of Driveco by Corsica Sole, Mirova and APG (M.11140) - Midday Express
Commission clears acquisition of Esteve Healthcare by GEL and LUBEA (M.11154) - Midday Express
Commission clears acquisition of Alumeco by Nordic Metal (M.11061) - Midday Express
Austria - Energy Taskforce: AFCA and E-Control present interim report
Romania - Competition Council: Milk prices continue to fall by an average of 20%
Romania - Competition Council clears the takeover of Silver by Mundum Industry
Romania - Competition Council approved the takeover of several companies by Zarea
Romania - Competition Council approved the takeover of Deciom by TTS
Spain - The CNMC declares the file on the granting of ICO COVID loans closed
UK - Acquisition by Électricité de France SA of the nuclear steam power business owned by the General Electric Company - See the Full text decision

STATE AID

Commission approves €77.1 million Hungarian scheme to support companies in the agricultural, fishing and food sector in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine (SA.107772) - Midday Express

TRADE & CUSTOMS

Agenda for: Trade Policy Committee (Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)) – 28 June 2023
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1301 of 26 June 2023 amending Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/159 imposing a definitive safeguard measure on imports of certain steel products
EU-New Zealand: Council adopts the decision to sign free trade agreement
EU and Japan strengthen cooperation on digital trade and economic security - IP/23/3530
WTO - China formally accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
Germany’s global supply chains under scrutiny over forced Chinese labour - Germany’s new due diligence law is attracting complaints about abuse of Uyghur workers in carmaking plants - Financial Times

INTERNAL MARKET, INDUSTRY & RESEARCH

Review of SME performance shows positive performance of micro SMEs in 2022 - see the Annual Report 2022/2023

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Answer given by Mr Breton to a MEP written question - Protection of intellectual property rights in the single market

CHEMICAL

List of authorisation decisions adopted on the basis of Article 64(8) of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)
Commission Regulation (EU) …/… of XXX amending Annex XVII to Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) as regards synthetic polymer microparticles - Decision not to oppose adoption

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Banking sector: Provisional agreement reached on the implementation of Basel III reforms
Financial services: Commission welcomes political agreement on EU Banking Package - Midday Express

AGRICULTURE & FISHERIES

€430 million of EU funds to support the EU agricultural sector - IP/23/3189
Latest agri-food trade report shows record high exports in March 2023 - Midday Express
EU’s commitment to tackle the challenges in the commodity sectors - Council conclusions (26 June 2023)
Presidency Conclusions on the Fisheries policy package for a sustainable, resilient and competitive fisheries and aquaculture sector

ENVIRONMENT & CLIMATE CHANGE

Answer given by Mr Sinkevicius to a MEP written question - Green Claims Directive

HEALTH, FOOD & PRODUCT SAFETY

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Agenda for: Working Party on Consumer Protection and Information - 10 July & 14 July 2023
Consumer protection: major online travel agencies commit to refund within 14 days for cancelled flights - IP/23/3521
Answer given by Mr Reynders to a MEP written question - Right to repair

DIGITAL & INFORMATION SOCIETY

Zalando files legal action against the European Commission to contest its designation as a “Very Large Online Platform” as defined by the Digital Services Act - Financial Times

DATA PRIVACY & CYBERSECURITY

Commission welcomes political agreement on new rules to boost cybersecurity in EU institutions, bodies, offices and agencies - IP/23/3483
Answer given by Mr Breton to a MEP written question - The Data Act – complementary legislation for the European automotive sector

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY & JUSTICE

EU Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO): Council appoints 5 European prosecutors
E-evidence: Commission welcomes final agreement on cross-border access to electronic evidence - Midday Express

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

NextGenerationEU: European Commission endorses a partially positive preliminary assessment of Romania's second payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility - IP/23/3496
NextGenerationEU: Commission endorses Slovakia's revised recovery and resilience plan, including a REPowerEU chapter - Midday Express
NextGenerationEU: Commission approves partially positive preliminary assessment of Romania's second payment request under the Recovery and Resilience Facility - IP/23/3496 & Annex

FUTURE OF EUROPE

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Main results - Foreign affairs Council - 26 June 2023
Digital diplomacy: Council sets out priority actions for stronger EU action in global digital affairs
CSDP civilian missions: Council extends mandates of EUBAM Libya, EUBAM Rafah and EUPOL COPPS
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1304 of 26 June 2023 amending Decision (CFSP) 2021/509 establishing a European Peace Facility
Council Decision (CFSP) 2023/1306 of 26 June 2023 in support of a project on a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East (ME WMDFZ) in an evolving regional security environment

RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

Ukraine: EU sending 500 power generators from rescEU reserves in response to Nova Kakhovka dam breach - Midday Express
Ukraine/Russia: EU should shun rough justice in reparations - The temptation to grab Russia’s frozen assets is strong - Financial Times

UK/EU RELATIONS (BREXT)

Provisional Agenda for the 11th Meeting of the Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee - 03 July 2023

Practices –

Industries –

Key Issues –