Optimism about the future of the EU is on the rise, according to latest Eurobarometer surveys
Only a year after the UK voted to leave the European Union, optimism about the future of the EU is increasing and trust in the EU is now at its highest level since 2010. In addition, close to half of Europeans are now optimistic about the state of their national economy. Respondents were also asked about their views on current challenges faced by the EU – terrorism has overtaken immigration as the major challenge felt by citizens, followed by the economic situation, the state of Member States’ public finances, unemployment and crime. For the first time, 11 non-EU countries were also polled and a majority of respondents say they have a positive view of the EU. The two surveys, the “Spring 2017 – Standard Eurobarometer” and the “Flash Eurobarometer ‘Future of Europe – Views from outside the EU‘”, were conducted through face-to-face interviews – a total of 33,180 people were interviewed across the EU Member States and in the candidate countries for the Standard Eurobarometer – and through telephone interviews – a total of 11,035 people were interviewed in 11 non-EU countries for the Eurobarometer on views from outside the EU. More information is available in the press release online. (For more information: Mina Andreeva – Tel.: +32 229 91382)
State aid: Commission approves prolongation of the Polish resolution scheme for cooperative and small commercial banks
The European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, the prolongation of the Polish resolution scheme for twelve months. The scheme was initially approved in December 2016. The measure will continue to be available for cooperative banks and small commercial banks with total assets below €3 billion, only if they are found to be in distress by the competent national authorities. The objective of the scheme is to facilitate the work of the Polish resolution authorities, should a concrete case and need arise for it. The Commission found the prolongation of the scheme to be in line with with EU State aid rules, in particular the 2013 Banking Communication and EU banking rules. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website in the public case register under the case number SA.48302 once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)
State aid: Commission approves prolongation of Polish credit union liquidation scheme
The European Commission has authorised, under EU State aid rules, the seventh prolongation of the Polish credit union liquidation scheme for twelve months. The measure will continue to be available for credit unions that are member-owned entities and provide loans, savings accounts and payment services only to their membership. Credit unions fall outside the scope of the bank resolution regime in Poland. The Commission found the prolongation of the scheme to be in line with EU State aid rules, in particular its 2013 Banking Communication. This is because it is well targeted, proportionate and limited in time and scope. The scheme was initially approved in February 2014 and has been prolonged several times since then, the last time in March 2017. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website in the public case register under the case number SA.48256 once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)
State aid: Commission approves the re-introduction of the Danish resolution scheme for small banks
The European Commission has authorised, under EU State aid rules, a Danish resolution scheme for small banks with total assets below €3 billion. It is open to banks that would be found to be in distress by the competent national authorities. The objective of the scheme is to facilitate the work of the Danish resolution authorities to wind up a small bank should a concrete case and need arise for it. The Commission found the notified scheme compatible with EU State aid rules, in particular the 2013 Banking Communication, and EU banking rules. The Commission initially approved the scheme in September 2010. It has been prolonged and amended several times since then until December 2015. Today’s authorisation is granted for twelve months. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website in the public case register under the case number SA. 44031 once any confidentiality issues have been resolved. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)
Mergers: Commission clears creation of joint-venture between ChemChina and AKC
The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of joint control by China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) of China, and Asahi Kasei Corporation (AKC) of Japan, over two newly created companies constituting a joint venture. The joint venture will be active in the research, development, production, marketing, and sale of a number of chemical products in China. ChemChina is active worldwide in the production of a wide range of chemical products. AKC is active worldwide in the production of fibres, chemical products, electronics materials, pharmaceutical products, medical devices and housing. The Commission concluded that the transaction would raise no competition concerns because the joint venture has no actual or foreseen activities in the European Economic Area. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information will be available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8422. (For more information: Daniel Rosario – Tel.: + 32 229 56185; Maria Sarantopoulou – Tel.: +32 229 13740)
Eurostat: Les prix à la production industrielle en baisse de 0,1% dans la zone euro
En juin 2017 par rapport à mai 2017, les prix à la production industrielle ont diminué de 0,1% dans la zone euro (ZE19) et de 0,2% dans l’UE28, selon les estimations d’Eurostat, l’office statistique de l’Union européenne. En mai 2017, les prix avaient reculé de 0,3% dans la zone euro et de 0,4% dans l’UE28. En juin 2017 par rapport à juin 2016, les prix à la production industrielle ont progressé de 2,5% dans la zone euro et de 2,6% dans l’UE28. Un communiqué de presse est disponible ici. (For more information: Vanessa Mock – Tel.: +32 229 56194; Maud Noyon – Tel.: +32 229 80379)
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