Vice President Schinas visits Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games
The Vice President for Promoting Our European Way of Life, Margaritis Schinas, is traveling to Paris this week for the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics. Tomorrow, the Vice President’s visit will begin by the launch of the European medal counter – Team Europe 2024 for the Olympic and Paralympic Games – an initiative of the European Commission Representation in France to mark the achievements of EU athletes. The event will take place at the Europa Experience – Paris, with the participation of the French Minister of Sports and the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Amélie Oudéa-Castéra. On Friday, Vice-President Schinas will represent the Commission at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, to highlight the link between the EU and the Olympic Games, as well as the shared values of tolerance, equality, respect and solidarity. It will also be an important opportunity to promote EU policies and activities related to support for sport and y
outh, in particular.
During his visit, the Vice President will also sign a cooperation agreement between the European Commission and the European Olympic Committees. The main objective of this arrangement is to promote shared Olympic and European values, including tolerance, equality, respect and solidarity.
As part of his visit, the vice-president will participate in the International Summit on Sport and Sustainable Development, which will be chaired by the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron and the President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach. More than 500 participants will come together to lead discussions on environmental and social sustainability in relation to sport.
The Commission supports numerous initiatives aimed at advancing sport and physical activity at all levels, such as European Sports Week with its #BeActive campaign, the European Sports Forum and the #BeInclusive EU Sport Awards , as well as Erasmus+ projects encouraging participation in sporting, physical and volu
ntary activities.
(For more information: Johanna Bernsel – Tel.: +32 2 298 66 99; Flore Boutier – Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)
Commission publishes Member States’ recommendations for mitigating cybersecurity risks in telecommunications and electricity sectors
Today, EU Member States, with the support of the Commission and of the EU Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA), published a report on the cybersecurity of the telecommunications and electricity sectors in the EU, as well as recommendations to bolster their resilience.
The report identifies threats such as cyber-attacks and espionage activities from state-sponsored threat actors and cyber criminals in both sectors. Supply chains, especially regarding 5G networks and renewable energy infrastructures, are at particular risk.
To mitigate the identified risks, the report contains recommendations to Member States, the Commission and ENISA to timely implement resilience-enhancing measures. These recommendations include sharing good practices on mitigating ransomware
, improving collective cyber-situational awareness and information sharing; improving contingency planning, crisis management and operational collaboration; assessing dependencies on high-risk third-country providers to strengthen supply chain security.
The report follows Council conclusions calling for the development of the EU’s Cyber Posture and follows-up on the report on the cybersecurity and resilience of the EU communications infrastructures and networks.
More information on the report is available here.
(For more information: Johanna Bernsel – Tel. : +32 2 298 66 99; Patricia Poropat – Tel.: +32 2 298 04 85)
Commission disburses the fourth payment for loans of pound 2.3 billion to Greece under the Recovery and Resilience Facility
Yesterday, the Commission disbursed to Greece the fourth payment for pound 2.3 billion in loans (net of pre-financing) under the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF).
As for all Member States, payments made to Greece under the RRF are performance-based and depend on t
he implementation by Greece of the investments and reforms described in its recovery and resilience plan.
On 17 April 2024, Greece submitted its fourth request for payment of pound 2.3 billion under the RRF to the Commission. This request covers one target, i.e. further progress in the delivery of the Loan Facility. This measure aims to mobilise private investments in areas such as the green and digital transitions, increasing export capacity, and research, development and innovation.
On 14 June 2024, the Commission adopted a positive preliminary assessment of Greece’s payment request. The favourable opinion of the Economic and Financial Committee of the Council on the payment request paved the way for the Commission to adopt a final decision on the disbursement of the funds.
Greece’s overall recovery and resilience plan amounts to pound 35.95 billion, consisting of pound 18.2 billion in grants and pound 17.7 billion in loans. You can find more information on Greece’s plan online, which features an interac
tive map of projects financed by the RRF, as well as on the Recovery and Resilience Scoreboard. More information on the process of payment requests under the RRF can be found in this questions and answers document.
(For more information: Veerle Nuyts – Tel.: + 32 229-96302; Quentin Cortes – Tel.: +32 2 291 32 83)
Commission proposes to postpone by one year the market risk prudential requirements under Basel III in the EU
The European Commission has today adopted a delegated act that postpones by one year (i.e. until 1 January 2026) the date of application of one part the Basel III standards in the EU – the Fundamental Review of the Trading Book (FRTB). The FRTB incorporates more sophisticated risk measurement techniques that aim to align capital charges more closely to the actual risks banks are facing in their activities in capital markets.
The Commission’s ongoing monitoring of the implementation of the Basel standards in the rest of the world indicates that some major jurisdictions have yet to finalise
their rules or communicate on their timelines for implementation. That is why, to preserve the global level playing field for internationally active European banks in respect to their trading activities, the Commission has decided to postpone the entry into force of this part of the Basel III standards. The Basel III standards will apply to all EU banks from 1 January 2025, with the exception of the market risk framework (provided the co-legislators do not object to the delegated act).
Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union, said: ‘We are steadfast in our international commitment to financial stability: the Basel III international standards will apply in the EU from 1 January 2025. This will ensure a reliable and stable banking sector for EU citizens and companies: implementing the Basel III rules is in the EU interest. However, as major jurisdictions have not yet finalised their own implementation of the Basel III rules, we need to delay by one
year the application of the new market risk capital requirements, to preserve the international level playing field for EU banks. The Commission is working closely with the European Banking Authority and the supervisors to provide banks with the necessary technical details for a consistent approach across Europe.’
The delay of the application date of the FRTB rules by one year will give us time to assess the international developments and our next steps. This delegated act is now subject to the scrutiny of the European Parliament and Council for a period of 3 months.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Francesca Dalboni – Tel.: +32 229 8817; Saul Goulding – Tel : +32 229 64735)
EU’s first medical evacuation operation of Palestinians transfers children from Egypt to Spain
Today, the first EU-coordinated medical evacuation operation of 16 Palestinian children and their family members took place from Egypt to Spain. The operation was financially and operationally supported by the EU
Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), in close coordination with the World Health Organization (WHO), the Palestine Childrens Relief Fund (PCRF) and authorities of all countries involved.
In response to the activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism by the WHO, the EU has been fully supporting the coordination of the activities to medically evacuate Palestinian patients to Europe. The request concerns targeted medical evacuations for a number of children in urgent need of medical care.
So far, Belgium, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Romania, Slovakia and Spain offered assistance for medical evacuations, including treatment for patients as well as transportation.
The Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC), in coordination with EU health and consular services, as well as respective EU Delegations, is in contact with the Member States, WHO and all relevant partners to facilitate these operations which are expected to continue in the coming weeks.
Since the beginning of the crisis, the EU has been a stron
g supporter of the health response in Gaza through its humanitarian partners. In 2024, 23% of the EU’s humanitarian budget has been allocated to issues related to health in Gaza, amounting to pound 32.5 million. Since early January, the EU has also been supporting the WHO’s Gaza Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell in Cairo with 22 experts deployed from the EU and the EU Civil Protection Mechanism’s participating countries.
A press release is available online.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Jennifer Sanchez da Silva – Tel.:+32 2 295 83 16)
Rule of Law Report 2024: with the 5th edition, the EU is better equipped to face rule of law challenges
The Commission has today published its fifth annual Rule of Law Report, examining systematically and objectively rule of law developments in all Member States on an equal basis. In comparison to the first issue of the Rule of Law Report adopted in 2020, Member States and the EU as a whole are much better prepared to detect, prevent a
nd address emerging challenges. This contributes to the resilience of our European democracies and to mutual trust in the EU. It also contributes to a good functioning of the single market and benefits a business environment that fosters competitiveness and sustainable growth.
Since its first publication in 2020, the report has become a true driver of positive reforms: Two thirds (68%) of the recommendations issued in 2023 have been, fully or partially, addressed. However, in some Member States systematic concerns remain and the situation has further deteriorated. These concerns are addressed in the recommendations of this year’s report. There are no recommendations for enlargement countries in this report as recommendations for these countries are issued exclusively in the context of the annual Enlargement Package.
This year’s report includes, for the first time, four country chapters on developments in Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Including these enlargement countries in the Rule of La
w Report, the most advanced in the process, will support their reform efforts, help authorities to make further progress in the accession process and to prepare for the continuation of work on the rule of law as a future Member State.
More than 7 in 10 EU citizens agree that the EU plays an important role in helping to uphold the rule of law in their country, according to a Special Eurobarometer survey published today. Close to 9 in 10 EU citizens consider important that all EU Member States respect the core values of the EU, an opinion stable since 2019. In addition, the feeling of being informed about the EU’s fundamental values has improved significantly in many countries: overall, 51% EU citizens feel well informed about the EU’s fundamental values and rule of law, compared to 43% in 2019.
The 2024 report, as every year, includes a Communication examining the situation in the EU as a whole and 27 country chapters looking at significant developments in each Member State. The report also includes an asses
sment of last year’s recommendations and, on that basis, provides, once more, specific recommendations addressed to all Member States.
The report covers four pillars: national justice systems, anti-corruption frameworks, media freedom and pluralism as well as other institutional checks-and balances.
Key findings and recommendations
Justice reforms
Justice reforms have continued to be high on the political agenda over the last year, with many Member States following up on the 2023 recommendations and implementing reforms agreed in the context of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Several Member States have initiated or further progressed with important reforms to strengthen judicial independence. They have undertaken legislative efforts to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of Councils of the Judiciary, to improve judicial appointment procedures, including regarding their highest courts, or to strengthen the autonomy of prosecution services. At the same time, some systemic concerns as r
egards judicial independence persist and specific cases of deterioration have been observed. Member States also introduced measures to improve the efficiency and quality of justice, as well as to facilitate access to justice. However, in several Member States, remuneration of judges and prosecutors is a concern and has led to challenges to recruit qualified judicial personnel.
Consequently, this year’s report recommends to Member States to address challenges such as the need for safeguards in judicial appointment procedures for both judges at lower instance courts and at high-level positions, the autonomy of the prosecution service or the need to provide adequate resources for the judiciary, including as regards salaries.
In the enlargement countries, important reforms, including at constitutional level, have been undertaken to strengthen judicial independence and the quality of the justice systems. However, further works need to be done, notably in areas related to the functioning of the self-governing bod
ies of the judiciary and on judicial appointments.
Anti-corruption frameworks
Corruption remains a serious concern for citizens and businesses in the EU, according to the results of the 2024 Special and Flash Eurobarometer survey on citizens’ and businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU.
The results of the Special Eurobarometer show that Europeans remain concerned about national governments’ efforts to address corruption: 65% of citizens believe that high-level corruption cases are not sufficiently pursued, and only 30% think that government efforts to combat corruption are effective. Similarly, 51% of EU-based companies think that people or businesses engaging in corrupt practices are caught by or reported to the authorities. Of these companies, around three quarters think that too close links between business and politics lead to corruption (79%) and that favouritism and corruption undermine business competition (74%). Across the EU, an average of 68% of citizens and 64% of EU-based companies c
onsider corruption to be widespread in their Member States.
Since last year, Member States have improved their institutional landscape to better fight corruption, including by increasing resources on the capacity of law enforcement services, prosecution authorities and the judiciary. At the same time, further action is needed to strengthen preventive frameworks, such as those governing lobbying and conflicts of interest and asset declaration rules, as well as to ensure the effective investigation and prosecution of corruption cases. This is reflected in this year’s recommendations.
In the enlargement countries, legal and institutional arrangements were strengthened, though investigation and prosecution of corruption cases need to be further strengthened.
Media freedom and pluralism
Since the last Rule of Law Report, several Member States made concrete steps to improve journalists’ safety and working environment, also in the light of Commission initiatives such as the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), alr
eady in force and fully applicable as of August 2025, the ‘Anti-SLAPP’ directive and recommendation and the Recommendation on safety of journalists.
Moreover, the tasks and competences of several national media regulators have been expanded and extended, also due to the entry into force of the EU Digital Services Act, as well as new establishment or extension of online ownership registries.
However, concerns persist in several Member States as regards the independent governance or financial stability of public service media broadcasters, transparency of media ownership, the right of access to public documents and the transparent and fair allocation of state advertising. The Commission has, once more, issued several recommendations on all these areas, including also the safety of journalists.
Challenges exist in enlargement countries, notably as regards transparency of media ownership, the independence of regulators or public services media and the safety of journalists, though reforms have also been carrie
d out in some of them to address some of these issues.
Institutional checks and balances
Member States have continued to improve the quality of their legislative processes and to involve stakeholders in these processes – a trend also noted in the previous Rule of Law Reports. Some Member States bolstered status and resources of National Human Rights institutions, ombudspersons, and other independent authorities. Initiatives to reinforce the framework for and funding of civil society have also continued in several Member States.
However, challenges remain in several Member States, such as the excessive use of accelerated procedures or the overall quality of law-making, as well as in consultation of stakeholders. Civil society and human rights defenders have increasingly faced challenges, legal restrictions, and attacks, including systemic restrictions to their operations in certain Member States. This is a worrying trend noted already in the previous report.
To address the issues identified, the Commission
has issued recommendations related to the functioning of the legislative process, the establishment and functioning of independent authorities and the enabling environment for civil society.
In the enlargement countries, challenges remain regarding the systematic follow-up to recommendations of Ombudsperson institutions and other independent bodies. Challenges are also observed in relation to the quality of law-making and stakeholder consultations.
Next steps
The Commission now invites the European Parliament and the Council to continue general and country-specific debates on the basis of this report, also using the recommendations to further examine how concrete progress can be made. The Commission also calls on national Parliaments, civil society, and other key stakeholders and actors, to continue national dialogue on the rule of law, as well as at European level, with increased citizen’s engagement. Finally, the Commission invites Member States to effectively take up the opportunities and challenges ide
ntified in the report, as it stands ready to assist them in their efforts to continue the implementation of recommendations.
As President von der Leyen announced in her Political Guidelines 2024 – 2029, the Commission will continue to improve its monitoring and reporting, and to strengthen checks and balances, notably by tracking the implementation of recommendations. To ensure the report looks at all issues across Europe, a Single Market dimension will be added to the report. This will address rule of law issues affecting companies, especially Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), operating across borders.
For enlargement countries, the Commission will continue to follow up on the issues identified, including in its next annual reports on enlargement. Further enlargement countries will be included in the Rule of Law Report as and when they are ready.
Background
The rule of law is crucial for every citizen and business in the EU as it is a precondition for the respect of other values. It guarantees t
hat fundamental rights are upheld in line with a set of core democratic values, ensures the application of EU law, and supports an investment-friendly business environment. It is an integral part of the very identity of the European Union.
The annual Rule of Law Report is the result of close dialogue with national authorities and stakeholders and covers all Member States and four enlargement countries on the basis of the same objective and transparent methodology, while examining the same set of issues in each country. The qualitative assessment carried out by the Commission focuses on significant developments since the adoption of the fourth annual Rule of Law Report in July 2023, while remaining proportionate to developments.
The report is at the centre of the annual Rule of Law Cycle. This yearly cycle is preventive – it serves to promote the rule of law and aims to keep problems from emerging or deepening. It is separate from the other elements in the EU’s Rule of Law Toolbox and complements but does no
t replace the Treaty-based mechanisms allowing the EU to respond to more serious rule of law related issues in Member States. These tools include infringement proceedings and the procedure to protect the founding values of the Union under Article 7 of the Treaty on European Union.
The fifth edition of the report gives specific recommendations for all Member States, a practice that was introduced in 2022. The analysis also contains a qualitative assessment of the progress made by the Member States towards implementing the 2023 recommendations, taking into account the overall context in the Member States. Depending on the progress made on the various subparts of each recommendation, the Commission concluded its assessment in each case using the following categories to track developments: no progress, some progress, significant progress and full implementation.
This year’s recommendations have been prepared based on the assessment in the country chapters and the dialogue with Member States as well as in full r
espect of the principle of equal treatment. In issuing the recommendations, the Commission has paid close attention to keeping them focused and anchored in European standards and has taken into account national legal systems. In addition, consistency and synergies with other processes, such as the European Semester, the budget conditionality mechanism and the Recovery and Resilience Facility, are ensured. Future editions of the Rule of Law Report will continue to look at the follow-up given to this year’s recommendations. The recommendations should be read together with the assessments in the country chapters that examine specific concerns and are meant to guide Member States to take measures to address them.
Since 2020, several new EU initiatives have raised common standards in areas with direct relevance for the rule of law, drawing on the results of the monitoring in the context of this report. This includes the European Media Freedom Act and the Anti-Corruption Package, including proposals for new legisl
ation to combat corruption in the EU and to strengthen the EU sanctioning regime for corruption in the EU’s external dimension.
Following the announcement in the 2023 State of the Union Address, the inclusion of certain enlargement countries in the 2024 Rule of Law Report, alongside Member States, will support these countries’ reform efforts to achieve irreversible progress on democracy and the rule of law ahead of accession, and to guarantee lasting high standards after accession. Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia now participate in the Rule of Law Report exercise, reflecting the progress made in their respective accession process, focusing on the advancement of the rule of law. This approach will be extended to other enlargement countries in the future, depending on their progress.
For More Information
2024 Rule of Law Report
2024 Rule of Law Report – the rule of law situation in the European Union
2024 Rule of Law Report – Recommendations
2024 Rule of Law Report – Country Chapters
2024
Rule of Law Report – Country Chapter Abstracts and Recommendations
2024 Rule of Law Report – Methodology
The Annual Rule of Law Cycle – Factsheet
The EU’s Rule of Law Toolbox – Factsheet
2024 Rule of Law Report – Questions and Answers
Special Eurobarometer 553 on Rule of Law
Eurobarometer 584 on citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU
Eurobarometer 542 on businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU
Quote(s)
The rule of law is the glue to our democracies and a safeguard of our rights. Without the rule of law our democracies and economies would be in shambles. We have been designing the rule of law toolbox for five years in line with our common values and today we are much better equipped to face the challenges. The work on the rule of law report fosters constant dialogue with the Member States. This year’s report shows that Member States have improved and strengthened the rule of law not least by implementing the Commission’s recommendations. Unfortunately, concerns remain in several
Member States in different categories. This means that even more work needs to be done to improve the independence of the judiciary, to effectively fight corruption and to improve the safety of journalists and civil society organisations.
Vera Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency
Five years after the first Rule of Law Report, we are better equipped to detect, prevent and address emerging challenges to the rule of law. We have seen that dialogue can help make important progress. And this is precisely why this report has and will continue to serve as a reference to initiate debates at national level and help drive national reform agendas. As today’s findings underline, while there are positive developments, there is still room for improvement. Strengthening the rule of law is a continuous work for all the Member States and enlargement countries. I encourage all Member States to keep working on implementing the recommendations.
Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice
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Contacts for media
Christian WIGAND
Spokesperson
Phone
+32 2 296 22 53
christian.wigand@ec.europa.eu
Jördis FERROLI
Press Officer
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+32 2 299 27 29
jordis.ferroli@ec.europa.eu
COUNTRY CHAPTER CYPRUS
RECOMMENDATIONS
Overall, concerning the recommendations in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus has made:
Some progress on strengthening the independence and the accountability of the Prosecution Service, including by providing for a possibility of review of the decision of the Attorney General not to prosecute or to discontinue proceedings, taking into account European standards on independence and autonomy of the prosecution.
Some progress on ensuring that the recently established Independent Authority against Corruption has the financial, human and technical resources to effectively perform its competences.
Significant progress on introducing rules on asset disclosure for e
lected officials to establish regular and comprehensive filing, combined with effective, regular and full verifications.
No progress on adopting legislation to ensure fair and transparent distribution of advertising expenditure by the state and state-owned companies.
Some further progress on advancing with the process aimed at strengthening the rules and mechanisms to enhance the independent governance of public service media taking into account European standards on public service media.
Some further progress on proceeding with the adoption of the framework for the effective and timely consultation of stakeholders in the legislative process and ensure its implementation.
On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference, and in addition to recalling the relevant commitments made under the Recovery and Resilience Plan, it is recommended to Cyprus to:
Take forward plans to adopt legislation aiming to provide a clearer distinction between the advisory and the
prosecutorial functions of the Attorney General and take measures to establish an effective review of its decisions not to prosecute or to discontinue proceedings, taking into account European standards on independence and autonomy of the prosecution.
Continue the efforts to ensure that the Independent Authority against Corruption has the human and technical resources to effectively perform its competences.
Ensure the effective implementation of rules on asset disclosure for elected officials to establish regular and comprehensive filing, combined with effective, regular and full verifications.
Adopt legislation to ensure fair and transparent distribution of advertising expenditure by the state and state-owned companies. Further advance with the process aimed at strengthening the rules and mechanisms to enhance the independent governance of public service media taking into account European standards on public service media.
Continue efforts to ensure the effective and timely consultation of stakehold
ers in the legislative process and address shortcomings.
Commission decides to register two new European Citizens’ Initiatives on closing animal farms and labelling of food
Today, the European Commission decided to register two European Citizens’ Initiatives, entitled ‘Stop Cruelty Stop Slaughter’ and ‘Stop Fake Food: Origin on Label’.
The organisers of the ‘Stop Cruelty Stop Slaughter’ initiative call for the Commission to introduce incentives for producing plant proteins, including plant-based milk and egg substitutes, as well as cultivated meat. The organisers also call for reducing the number of farm animals and progressively closing all animal farms.
The organisers of the ‘Stop Fake Food: Origin on Label’ initiative call for the Commission to propose measures that ensure European consumers have access to transparent information about the food they buy and that their expectations regarding food quality and sustainability are met. The initiative also calls for ensuring clear and explicit labeling of th
e origin for all products and for adherence to consistent environmental, health and labour standards in the internal market.
Both European Citizens’ Initiatives fulfil the formal conditions established in the relevant legislation. The Commission therefore considers that they are legally admissible. The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage.
The decision to register an initiative is based on a legal analysis of its admissibility under the European Citizens’ Initiative Regulation. It does not prejudge the legal and political conclusions of the Commission on these initiatives and the action it would take, if any, in case any of these initiatives obtains the necessary support of at least one million EU citizens.
The content of the initiatives only expresses the views of the group of organisers, and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Commission.
Next Steps
Following today’s registration, the organisers have six months to open the signature collection. If a Eu
ropean Citizens’ Initiative receives at least one million statements of support within one year with minimum numbers reached in at least seven different Member States, the Commission will have to react. The Commission will have to decide whether or not it will take action in response to the request, and will be required to explain its reasoning.
Background
The European Citizens’ Initiative was introduced with the Lisbon Treaty as an agenda-setting tool in the hands of citizens. It was officially launched in April 2012. Once formally registered, a European Citizens’ Initiative allows one million citizens from at least seven EU Member States to invite the European Commission to propose legal acts in areas where it has the power to act. The conditions for admissibility are: (1) the proposed action does not manifestly fall outside the framework of the Commission’s powers to submit a proposal for a legal act, (2) it is not manifestly abusive, frivolous or vexatious and (3) it is not manifestly contrary to the va
lues of the Union.
Since the beginning of the European Citizens’ Initiative, the Commission has registered 116 initiatives.
For More Information
‘Stop Cruelty Stop Slaughter’
‘Stop Fake Food: Origin on Label’
ECI statistics
ECIs currently collecting signatures
European Citizens’ Initiative Forum
#EUTakeTheInitiative campaign
The European Commission appoints a new Deputy Director General at its Directorate-General for Communication
The European Commission has decided today to appoint Sophia Eriksson Waterschoot as Deputy Director General at the Commission’s Directorate-General for Communication (DG COMM). This department is responsible for communicating to the media and the public the political priorities of the Commission and EU policies, and it also keeps the Commission abreast of political developments and of trends in public opinion and the media. The date of effect will be determined later.
Ms Eriksson Waterschoot has an extensive professional background spanning over 25 years at the Commission
in various roles, including at managerial level. Her career path boasts a proven track record of successful projects in corporate communication activities and campaigns, equipping her with high-level interpersonal, decision-making, and negotiation skills. She has played a leading role in shaping the Commission’s political communication, with a particular emphasis on the youth. She has managed EU flagship programmes such as Erasmus+, the Presidential initiative ‘2022 European Year of Youth,’ and the EU ‘Youth Strategy 2019-2027’. She has also played an instrumental role in the design and launch of the ‘European Solidarity Corps’ and ‘DiscoverEU.’ She is a highly effective communicator, which will help her build partnerships and successfully engage external and internal stakeholders in her new function.
Sophia Eriksson Waterschoot, a Swedish national, currently holds the position of Director for ‘Youth, Education and Erasmus+’ at the Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC). She has
also held various positions within the same department, including Head of Unit for ‘Europe 2020, Investment Plan, Education and Training 2020,’ and Adviser to the Deputy Director-General. Earlier in her career, she was a Member of the Cabinet of the former Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism, and Youth, Androulla Vassiliou.
Before joining the Commission in 1996, she worked as a research assistant for the Swedish Trade Union Institute for Economic Research under the Ministry of Labour.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 2 298 72 69)
The European Commission appoints a new Director at the Directorate-General for Competition
Today, the European Commission has appointed Koen Van de Casteele as Director ‘State aid: General Scrutiny and Enforcement’ at the Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP). This Commission department works to ensure that all companies compete equally and fairly on their merits within the single market, to the be
nefit of consumers, businesses and the European economy as a whole. The date of effect will be determined later.
With over 25 years of prominent professional experience in law, economic analysis, and competition policy, particularly in leading competition enforcement in State aid cases, Van de Casteele has a deep understanding of market dynamics and EU regulatory frameworks. His expertise and managerial track record at the Commission include the adoption of the COVID-19 Temporary Framework and its various amendments, as well as the adoption of the Temporary Crisis Framework/Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework. This makes him well-suited to provide strategic direction for the Directorate, including contributing to the development of policy and legislative proposals.
Koen Van de Casteele, a Belgian national, currently serves as Head of the ‘State Aid Policy and Case Support’ Unit in DG COMP. Previously, he worked, among others, in the ‘Strategic Support and Decision Scrutiny’ Unit within the same Direct
orate-General, where he was responsible for policy projects and coordinated the State aid enlargement task force.
Before joining the Commission, he was a senior associate at a Belgian law firm.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 229 54578; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 229 87269)
The European Commission appoints a new Head of Representation in Brussels
Today, Thomas de Béthune has been appointed as new Head of the European Commission Representation in Brussels, Belgium. In this function, he will act as the official representative of the European Commission in Belgium under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen. The date of effect of his appointment will be 1 September.
Mr de Béthune, a Belgian national, brings considerable experience in urban management, communication, negotiation and political coordination. With two decades of service in EU institutions and with the Belgian authorities, he has a remarkable understanding of inter-institutional relations within EU structur
es and deep knowledge of local development and innovative financial instruments for implementing EU policies and legislation.
The Commission maintains Representations in all capitals of EU Member States, and Regional Offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Marseille, Milan, Munich and Wroclaw. The Representations are the Commission’s eyes, ears and voice on the ground in EU Member States. They interact with national authorities, stakeholders and citizens, and inform the media and the public about EU policies. Heads of Representations are appointed by the President of the European Commission and are her political representatives in the Member State to which they are posted.
More details are available in the press release.
(For more information: Balazs Ujvari – Tel.: +32 2 295 45 78; Veronica Favalli – Tel.: +32 2 298 72 69)
The European Commission appoints a new Head of Representation in Warsaw
Today, Katarzyna Smyk has been appointed as new Head of the European Commission Representation in Warsaw, Poland. In this fu
nction, she will act as the official representative of the European Commission in Poland under the political authority of President Ursula von der Leyen. The date of effect of her appointment will be determined later.
Katarzyna Smyk, a Polish national, brings extensive expertise in diplomacy, management, international negotiations, and political analysis. She possesses a profound understanding of various EU policy areas and is well-versed in the inter-institutional landscape. Her experience includes political coordination, especially during crises and countering hybrid threats and disinformation.
The Commission maintains Representations in all capitals of EU Member States, and Regional Offices in Barcelona, Bonn, Marseille, Milan, Munich and Wroclaw. The Representations are the Commission’s eyes, ears and voice on the ground in EU Member States. They interact with national authorities, stakeholders and citizens, and inform the media and the public about EU policies. Heads of Representations are appointed by
the President of the European Commission and are her political representatives in the Member State to which they are posted.
Source: Cyprus News Agency