May 28, 2024

Europe Daily News, 28 May 2024

Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11546 - Unicredit / Alpha Bank Romania)
Commission clears acquisition of PSA Canada Ventures by PSA International and Terminal Investment Limited (M.11429) - Midday Express
Greece - Mapping of the conditions of competition in the market for veterinary medicinal products
Poland - The UOKIK has initiated an investigation into possible anti-competitive practices in the sale of Xiaomi equipment
Portugal - The AdC adopted a non-opposition decision in merger operation 23/2024 - Finerge / Eólica da Arada*Eólica da Cabreira*Eólica de Montemuro*Windminho
Portugal - The AdC accuses multinational technology consultancy group of anti-competitive practices in the labour market
Portugal - The AdC adopted a non-opposition decision in merger 11/2024 - Barraqueiro / MGC
Romania - The Competition Council has launched an analysis on how airlines set the price level of airplane tickets for routes departing from Romania
Google, Amazon, Apple lobby group opposes India's EU-like antitrust proposal - Reuters
Telecom Italia receiving good signals from EU antitrust on network sale - Reuters

Authorisation for State aid pursuant to Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU - Cases where the Commission raises no objections – SA.109124

Minutes of 19th meeting of the Interfaces thematic team of the Single Window (EMSWe) Expert Group of the HLSG for Governance of the Digital Maritime System and Services jointly with the Customs Business Group (CBG) - 20 & 21 September 2023
The EU and Australia signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a bilateral partnership to cooperate on sustainable critical and strategic minerals - IP/24/2904
Answer given by Ms Simson to a MEP written question - Article 310 of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement
Answer given by EVP Dombrovskis to a MEP written question - WTO negotiations on e-commerce and the policy of cultural exception
Answer given by EVP Dombrovskis to a MEP written question - Distribution of Russian steel slab import quotas following EU sanctions
WTO - New disciplines on regulation of services trade enter into force for four more members
Is the EU already in a trade war with China? - Even if they aren’t yet, things could soon get nastier as Brussels’ investigation into Chinese electric vehicles nears its conclusion - Politico.eu
How Chinese EV makers will respond to steep US tariffs - Manufacturers are likely to target expansion in Europe with luxury models that offer new features to consumers - Financial Times

Agenda for: Att. & Exp. Financial Services and Banking Union (Payment Services) - 12 June 2024
Harald Waiglein appointed chair of the financial services committee for fourth term
ESMA reports on the application of MiFID II marketing requirements

Main results of: Agriculture & Fisheries Council - 27 May 2024
Agenda for: Expert group on Forest & Forestry Stakeholder Platform - 23 April 2024
Working Documents - Expert Group on the Implementation of the CAP Strategic Plans Regulation - 15 May 2024

TTE (Energy) Council - 30 May 2024
- Any other business National Energy and Climate Plans – state of play - Information from the Commission

Europe's bathing waters remain safe - IP/24/2901 & EEA Report
EIB provides ETRA with €100 million to support the transition to a greener, more circular economy - IP/24/2903
Widespread Water Contamination by ‘Forever Breakdown Product’ of PFAS Pesticides - see Report and Letter by PAN Europe
Europe’s political divide over the return of wolves - As rewilding opens up new habitats, the debate over whether to coexist with the animals or control their numbers is growing - Financial Times

EFSA - Scientific Opinion - Assessment of the feed additive consisting of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 18112; ATCC PTA‐6139; DSM 18114 for all animal species for the renewal of its authorisation (Pioneer Hi‐Bred International, Inc.)

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1459 of 27 May 2024 laying down rules for the application of Regulation (EU) 2023/988 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the implementation of the interoperable interface of the Safety Gate Portal for providers of online marketplaces
Vice-President Jourová in California to discuss protection of elections against disinformation and foreign interference as well as EU's digital policy - Midday Express

ECB Consumer Expectations Survey results – April 2024
Speech by ECB' Isabel Schnabel: The benefits and costs of asset purchases
Designing a macroprudential capital buffer for climate-related risks - ECB Working Paper Series No.2943
Consumer risk-taking and stock market investment: Insights using the CES’s consumer finance module - Research Bulletin - No.119

Opening speech by President von der Leyen at the ceremony of the International Peace of Westphalia Prize, awarded to French President Macron
Lame ducks Macron and Scholz will struggle to steer EU’s post-election agenda - Politico.eu
Macron and Scholz: we must strengthen European sovereignty - Financial Times

Main results of: Foreign Affairs Council - 27 May 2024
Syria: Council renews restrictive measures and extends humanitarian exemption for another year - See Decision (CFSP) 2024/1510; Decision (CFSP) 2024/1496; Regulation (EU) 2024/1497 & Regulation (EU) 2024/1517
EUMPM Niger: Council decides not to extend the mandate of the mission - See Decision (CFSP) 2024/1498
EU pledges €2.12 billion in support of the future of Syria and the region, during Brussels Eight Conference - IP/24/2841
EU allocates €201 million in humanitarian aid for Sahel and Africa's Lake Chad countries - IP/24/2902
Foreign Affairs Council (Defence): Press remarks by High Representative Josep Borrell upon arrival
The EU and EFTA-EEA States take stock of their cooperation and celebrate 30 years of the Agreement on the European Economic Area at a Council meeting - Midday Express
US and EU ‘too soft’ on Serbia, Kosovo PM says - Albin Kurti says western capitals should give Belgrade a deadline to adopt sanctions against Russia - Financial Times
EU foreign ministers discuss sanctions against Israel - “For the first time at an EU meeting, in a real way, I’ve seen significant discussion on sanctions and ‘what if’,” Ireland’s foreign minister said - Politico.eu

RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE

Russia: EU sets up new country-specific framework for restrictive measures against those responsible for human rights violations, and lists 20 persons - see Regulation (EU) 2024/1488 & Regulation (EU) 2024/1485
Information manipulation in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine: EU lists two individuals and one entity - see Decision 2024/1508/CFSP
Western businesses backtrack on their Russia exit plans - Companies such as Avon Products, Air Liquide and Reckitt remain in country as bureaucratic obstacles to leaving increase - Financial Times

Stay Up To Date With Our Insights

See how we use a multidisciplinary, integrated approach to meet our clients' needs.