Mr Margaritis Schinas in Greece (until 18/10): in Athens – meets with Ms Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the President of the Hellenic Republic; meets with Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece.
Wednesday 16 October 2024
Ms Stella Kyriakides delivers a keynote speech via videoconference at the European Patients Forum High-Level Policy Event, ‘Towards a patient-centred EU mandate: Health policy with and for patients’; delivers pre-recorded remarks at the ‘Ukraine-EU Integration: Healthcare’ conference organised by the Ukrainian Ministry of Health.
Friday 18 October 2024
Mr Margaritis Schinas in Kozani, Greece: delivers a keynote speech at the ‘Science and Research Day’ event organised by the University of West Macedonia.
Saturday 19 October 2024
Ms Stella Kyriakides in Limassol, Cyprus: delivers a speech on breast cancer at the Awareness Raising Symposium.
Commission requests information under the Digital Services Act from Temu on traders selling illegal products on its marketplace
Today, the Com
mission has sent a request for information (RFI) to Temu under the Digital Services Act (DSA), requesting the platform to provide detailed information and internal documents on the mitigation measures taken against the presence and reappearance of traders selling illegal products on its online marketplace. The RFI further requires Temu to supply additional data and information on the measures adopted to mitigate the risk of dissemination of illegal products, as well as risks relating to consumer protection, public health and users’ wellbeing. Moreover, the Commission is also requesting details on the recommender systems of Temu and the risk to the protection of users’ personal data.
Temu must provide the requested information by 21 October 2024. Based on the assessment of Temu’s replies, the Commission will determine the next steps. This could entail the formal opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 66 of the DSA. Pursuant to Article 74 (2) of the DSA, the Commission can impose fines for incorrect, incom
plete, or misleading information in response to an RFI. In case of failure to reply, the Commission may issue a formal request by decision. In this case, failure to reply by the deadline could lead to the imposition of periodic penalty payments.
Temu was designated as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP) under the DSA on 31 May 2024. While Temu had to comply with the DSA’s general rules since February 2024, the online marketplace also had to comply with the more stringent rules applicable to VLOPs and to prepare a risk assessment report as of 3 October 2024. The Commission has already sent an RFI to Temu on 28 June 2024 on the measures they took to comply with the DSA obligations related to the so-called ‘Notice and Action mechanism’ to notify illegal products, ‘dark patterns’ on its online interfaces, the protection of minors, the transparency of recommender systems, the traceability of traders and compliance by design.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: + 32 2 299 10 99; Roberta Verbanac – Tel.:
+ 32 2 298 24 98)
EU and Canada adopt Mutual Recognition Agreement for architects
The EU and Canada have adopted a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) on the professional qualifications of architects.
This important agreement is the first bilateral MRA for professional qualifications to be concluded by the EU. It will make it easier for EU and Canadian architects to work in each other’s jurisdictions, by facilitating the recognition of their qualifications.
The MRA will therefore remove one of the main hurdles facing EU architects who wish to work in Canada, allowing them to explore new business opportunities and export their world-class skills. It will also give European businesses access to a new pool of Canadian professionals looking to supply their services in the EU.
The Agreement represents another mutually beneficial deliverable from the EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). It is the first MRA under CETA, as well as the first MRA for professional qualifications to be conclud
ed by the EU.
The Agreement will enter into force once the EU and Canada have completed their internal approval procedures.
More information on the MRA is available on the Commission’s Trade website.
(For more information: Olof Gill – Tel.: +32 2 296 59 66; Ana Apse-Paese – Tel.: +32 2 298 73 48)
Commissioner Urpilainen travels to Ethiopia and to Senegal to discuss broader geopolitical issues and review progress in Global Gateway implementation
On 14 October, Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen will travel to Addis Ababa to further deepen and strengthen the Africa-EU partnership, a priority of her mandate. The Commissioner will meet Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Monique Nsanzabaganwa, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, and hold a High-level Dialogue on Economic Integration and Trade with AU Commissioner Albert Muchanga. She will launch a joint report by the European Commission and the AU Development Agency (AUDA NEPAD), taking stock
of progress in implementing Global Gateway commitments made at the 6th EU-AU Summit in 2022 and showcasing tangible deliverables.
She will also present a Team Europe Initiative on Economic Integration and the AU component of the Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa. At the Abrehot Library, she will launch the AU-EU Youth Lab with AU partners in the presence of youth representatives, including members of the EU Ethiopia Youth Sounding Board.
In addition to meetings at the AU, she will hold a meeting with European and Ethiopian private sector actors on investment opportunities and business environment. On 15-16 October, Commissioner Urpilainen will then travel to Senegal for a Team Europe mission, joined by the Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Eva Granados Galiano, and all EU Member States present on the ground, for meetings with Senegalese authorities and private sector representatives.
She will discuss broader geopolitical issues and visit the site of the MADIBA vaccine producti
on plant, the Bay of Hann water treatment plant, and vocational training projects aiming to increase youth employment, which are concrete examples of the Global Gateway strategy roll out.
While in Dakar, she will hold meetings with Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of Senegal, Ousmane Sonko, Prime Minister, and Cheikh Diba, Minister of Finances and Budget, among others.
During her mission, Commissioner Urpilainen is expected to discuss support to pharmaceutical manufacturing in Africa and fight against mpox outbreaks.
EbS will provide video and photo coverage.
(For more information: Ana Pisonero – Tel.: +32 2 295 43 20; Jennifer Sanchez Da Silva – Tel.: +32 2 295 83 16)
Commissioner Hoekstra participates in Environment Council meeting in preparation for COP29 and COP16 UN Conferences on Climate Change and Biodiversity
On Monday 14 October, Commissioner Hoekstra will represent the Commission at the Environment Council in Luxembourg. Ministers will focus on preparations for the COP29 UN Climate Change Conf
erence to be held in Baku (Azerbaijan) from 11-22 November and the COP16 UN Biodiversity Conference taking place in Cali (Colombia) from 21 October-1 November. Ministers are expected to adopt the EU’s negotiating mandates for both meetings.
Ministers will also exchange views on the ongoing negotiations for a global legally binding Treaty on plastic pollution and preparations for the forthcoming fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee scheduled from 25 November to 1 December. Later, they will discuss the implementation of the EU Chemicals Strategy. During an informal lunch, Ministers will look into the climate and environmental aspects of the recent Draghi report on the future of Europe’s competitiveness.
A press conference will take place at the end of the meeting, at around 17:00, with the participation of the Hungarian Presidency and Commissioner Hoekstra. The press conference can be followed here.
(For more information: Adalbert Jahnz – Tel.: + 32 2 295 31 56; Tim McPhie)
ErasmusDa
ys 2024 celebrates the role of Erasmus+ with thousands of events across Europe
From 14 to 19 October, #ErasmusDays 2024 will highlight the positive impact of the Erasmus+ programme on education, training, youth and sport. More than 10,000 events, both in person and online, are planned around the world to celebrate the programme’s achievements, showcase its successes and raise awareness of the opportunities it offers learners. Thousands of students, trainees, adult learners and sports coaches will take part.
With over 15 million participants to date, the Erasmus+ programme is one of the most popular European initiatives and the cornerstone of the European Education Area.
Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said: ‘Erasmus+ continues to inspire, open doors and transform the lives of millions of people. ErasmusDays 2024 celebrates the immense success of this iconic EU programme and shines a light on the spirit of unity and collaboration that defines Europe. I en
courage everyone to take part in these thousands of events, which showcase the unifying power of education, sport and culture.’
Launched in 2017, ErasmusDays now celebrates Erasmus+ around the world. Following the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, this year’s theme is the role of sport in promoting international cooperation and cultural exchange. In 2023, more than 9,600 events took place in 53 countries, and the 2024 edition aims to continue this success.
(For more information: Johanna Bernsel – Tel.: + 32 2 298 66 99; Flore Boutier – Tel.: +32 2 296 60 43)
Commission supports EU Code Week to encourage young people to acquire coding and digital skills
Today, the 12th edition of EU Code Week will kick off with a hybrid launch event. This event brings together the EU Code Week community from across Europe and showcases ongoing efforts to promote digital skills and careers, with sessions on inspiring stories about women in tech and digital education.
This year, EU Code Week runs from 14 to 27 October.
Anyone can get involved by organising or taking part in coding activities. Materials in 29 languages ??have been made available to support activity organisers, such as teachers, and an interactive map showing all the activities organised.
By bringing coding activities into classrooms, EU Code Week aims to encourage young people to engage in coding and pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
EU Code Week is part of a wide range of initiatives that the Commission supports to close the skills gap in digital talent and promote basic digital skills among the population. The Digital Decade 2024 progress report shows that much remains to be done to achieve the Europe 2030 digital skills targets, set jointly by the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council. Currently, only 59.8% of Europeans aged 16-74 will have basic digital skills by 2030, falling short of the 80% target. Similarly, the number of ICT specialists will only reach 12 million, well below the target of 20 m
illion.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel.: + 32 2 299 10 99; Roberta Verbanac – Tel.: + 32 2 298 24 98)
Press statement by President von der Leyen at the Summit of Southern European Union countries
Dear Nikos,
I am glad to see the former President of the Republic of Cyprus too,
Thank you, dear Nikos, for this moving visit at the Paphos hospital. And thank you to all those who are working in this hospital for your outstanding service to the patients, day and night. We have just inaugurated the new dialysis unit. It means closer and easier access to care, and it makes a big difference for patients, especially for these dialysis patients, who go through treatment several times a week. You can imagine what a difference it makes if you save time because care is closer to you. This is precious lifetime, a gift of lifetime, a gift of a fuller, healthier life. I am glad that Europe, with NextGenerationEU, can contribute to it. NextGenerationEU is Europe’s massive funding programme. It supports investm
ents and reforms, like never before, all across Europe – so here too in Paphos. We have invested close to EUR 4 million in this new care unit. It is a concrete example of what NextGenerationEU can achieve in Cyprus. And with your EUR 1 billion from NextGenerationEU, there are many more success stories to be written, or that are being written right now. The Commission continues to stand with you to make these plans a success.
This afternoon we will have our annual MED9 Summit. Our discussions there will help prepare two upcoming meetings: the European Council and the first-ever EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit. It is important that the unique experience and viewpoints of the Mediterranean Member States are reflected in those meetings.
First, this afternoon, we will discuss the Middle East. This is particularly important in the current situation. Iran’s recent massive ballistic missile attack against Israel constitutes a serious escalation and threat to regional stability. I would like to reintegrate our ca
ll for a cessation of hostilities as soon as possible to create space for a diplomatic solution along the Blue Line. This must be consistent with the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. I would like to thank Cyprus for its operational readiness to aid possible evacuation operations from Lebanon and – Mr President, as you have described – for your successful work to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza for months.
Second, we will meet with the King of Jordan. For us, Jordan is a strategic partner. In this crisis, Jordan plays a pivotal role in the stability in a volatile and complex MENA region. But also, beyond this crisis, Jordan is an important friend and, as I have said, a strategic partner for the European Union. So we will take the opportunity to discuss our bilateral partnership. I met King Abdullah two weeks ago at the UN General Assembly in New York. And I assured him of the European Union’s long-term support to prosperity and reforms in Jordan.
Third, we will discuss European priorities fo
r the next five years. We have a broad agenda, as you can imagine. Our first priority is competitiveness. We do not only want Europe to catch up – but to lead, globally. For this, we of course have homework to do. Whether it is cutting red tape, so that our SMEs and our industries can work better. Or whether it is bringing down energy prices – we have been successful in lowering energy prices, but they are still structurally too high. Whether it is training and education for people for the new tasks ahead or for example the mobilisation for innovation.
And, of course, we want to talk about another priority, which is migration. Migration is a European challenge that requires European solutions. Our joint efforts on migration are starting to pay off. If you look at the figures of irregular arrivals in the first eight months of this year: The Central Mediterranean route – historically one of the most busy – saw a decrease of 64%. We also saw a 75% drop on the Balkans route. But migratory routes are constantly e
volving. We see now a surge of arrivals to Greece and the Spanish Canary Islands. So this requires constant effort and constant attention. Our Migration and Asylum Pact is our common roadmap for that. We must now focus on making the Pact a reality on the ground. The Commission is ready to provide the necessary support for this to our Member States. In parallel, we will continue our operational work. In other words, we will keep supporting our Member States to reinforce border surveillance, fight smugglers and work on returns. I know that Cyprus has made good progress on returns. And we will continue building strategic relations with third countries of origin and transit – with a key focus on the Mediterranean. And dear Nikos, we have seen with Lebanon how important it is to engage with the partner countries and that this type of engagement definitely brings results.
Dear Nikos,
The Mediterranean has long served as a key gateway to three continents. Today, it is the vital artery for global trade and energy f
lows. But it is also a front line of geopolitical influence and, tragically, a backdrop for far too many humanitarian crises and migration tragedies. This is the reason why I have defined a specific Mediterranean portfolio in my new Commission. This has never been the case before, it is the first time. And I asked Commissioner-designate Dubravka Šuica to develop a Pact for the Mediterranean so that we specifically look at those topics. I want to make sure that it reflects your reality and your interests.
Your reality is also that of a beautiful – I witnessed it all these days here – but also vulnerable island. Because the Mediterranean region is particularly affected by rising temperatures, you know it better than anybody else, and extreme weather phenomena. In Cyprus, we already see an increase in heat waves and droughts. We are here to support you. We did so, for example, by sending two firefighting planes this summer, right here in Paphos. We will also invest together with you in your carbon-neutral futur
e. We want to kick-start the clean energy transition in Cyprus. And we want to help protect your ecosystems. Because both are crucial to people’s livelihoods.
One last word, dear Nikos, on the trilateral meeting that you will have next week in New York with the Secretary-General of the United Nations Guterres. We welcome this positive development. The European Union remains fully behind your efforts to resume peace talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue. This should take place within the UN framework, on the basis of a bicommunal, bizonal federation with political equality. And it should be in accordance with all relevant Security Council Resolutions, as well as in line with the principles on which the EU is founded and the EU acquis. We also stand ready to support all stages of the UN-led process, within appropriate means.
So you see, ladies and gentlemen, we have a huge agenda together with the Mediterranean. There is a lot of opportunities which we want to seize. This is a lot of positi
ve projects and development we have to work on. I want to thank you again for inviting me to this beautiful island, and I am very much looking forward to more cooperation.
Source: Cyprus News Agency