Italy earthquake: EU ready to provide assistance

Today, following the earthquake on the island of Ischia of Italy, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides has issued the following statement: “Today our heart is in Italy, with the Italian people and authorities. Once again the country has sadly suffered another deadly earthquake, this time on the island of Ischia, with initial reports of casualties and damages to infrastructures including hospitals and churches. We offer our condolences to families and friends who have lost loved ones. The EU is fully ready to help. Our 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in immediate contact with the Italian Civil Protection authorities since the early hours. We stand ready to provide any immediate assistance the national authorities could require. The EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite mapping system is also available to help the national civil protection authorities. Let me commend the brave first responders working tirelessly on the scene to save lives. They are an example for us all.” The full statement is available in English and Italian. A factsheet on how the EU can help countries affected by natural disasters is available here. Photos and video stockshots of the EU’s Emergency Centre are also available. (For more information: Carlos Martin Ruiz De Gordejuela – Tel.: +32 229 65322; Daniel Puglisi – Tel.: +32 229 69140)

L’UE investit dans un réseau moderne de distribution d’eau en Roumanie

Près de 66,5 millions d’euros du Fonds de Cohésion sont investis dans deux grands projets d’infrastructure de gestion de l’eau en Roumanie. La Commissaire à la politique régionale Corina Crețu a commenté: “Chaque euro de la politique de Cohésion investi dans ces projets contribue à améliorer nettement la qualité de vie en Roumanie. Une eau potable plus saine et accessible et un environnement mieux protégé; voilà un nouvel exemple d’une Europe qui se soucie du bien-être de ses citoyens.” Dans le comté de Mehedinți, dans le Sud-Ouest du pays, 39 millions d’euros sont investis dans l’amélioration des systèmes de distribution et de traitement de l’eau, avec notamment la réhabilitation de 7 sources d’eau potable, la construction de 8 réservoirs de stockage et des travaux sur un réseau de de distribution d’eau et d’égout de plus de 200 km. Près de 140 000 personnes bénéficieront de ce projet, qui devrait être achevé à la fin de 2019. Dans le comté d’Arad, à l’Ouest du pays, 27,5 millions d’euros financent aussi un meilleur accès à l’eau potable et gestion des eaux usées, avec notamment la réfection et l’extension de 15 km de réseau de distribution d’eau et la modernisation de 6 usines de traitement des eaux résiduaires. Près de 253 000 habitants profiteront d’une eau plus saine et d’un environnement préservé. Plus d’informations sur les fonds européens en Roumanie sont disponibles sur la plateforme Open Data. (Pour plus d’informations: Johannes Bahrke – Tel.: +32 229 58615; Sophie Dupin de Saint-Cyr – Tel.: +32 229 56169)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Arzignanese and Pasubio by CVC

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of Arzignanese S.r.l and Pasubio S.p.A, both of Italy, by CVC Capital Partners SICAV-FIS S.A. of Luxembourg.  Arzignanese and Pasubio are active in the tanning of leather and the production of finished leather products for use in various sectors, including automotive interiors, furniture and luxury goods. CVC provides advice to and manages investment funds and platforms. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns because it did not find any horizontal or actual vertical overlaps between the activities of Arzignanese and Pasubio and those of CVC or the portfolio companies of CVC Funds. Any potential vertical overlaps would not be material. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8573. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of sole control of Visma by HgCapital

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control of Visma AS of Norway by HgCapital of the UK. Visma is active in developing and providing a diverse portfolio of IT services, business software and web hosting solutions. HgCapital is a private equity investment firm. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns taking into account that HgCapital already had control over Visma prior to the transaction and that the transaction is a change from joint to sole control. The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8579. In 2014, the Commission approved the acquisition of joint control over Visma by HgCapital, KKR and Cinven in case M.7280. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)

Today our heart is in Italy, with the Italian people and authorities.

Once again the country has sadly suffered another deadly earthquake, this time on the island of Ischia, with initial reports of casualties and damages to infrastructures including hospitals and churches.

We offer our condolences to families and friends who have lost loved ones.

The EU is fully ready to help. Our 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre has been in immediate contact with the Italian Civil Protection authorities since the early hours.

We stand ready to provide any immediate assistance the national authorities could require.

The EU’s emergency Copernicus satellite mapping system is also available to help the national civil protection authorities.

Let me commend the brave first responders working tirelessly on the scene to save lives. They are an example for us all.

Links

Photos: European Commission’s Emergency response centre

Video: European Commission’s Emergency response centre

Factsheet: EU: a world leader in helping those affected by crises

Statement by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker following the incident in Turku, Finland

“It is with great concern that I have learnt of the violent attacks in Turku, Finland. While details are still emerging, we strongly condemn this unprovoked attack which comes only 24 hours after the horror that unfolded in Spain. My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. I express my full solidarity with the security forces working to keep people safe on the ground, as well as with all the people of Finland and Prime Minister Juha Sipilä. The European Commission is at their full disposal for any support they may need.” The full statement is available online in English, Finnish and Swedish. (For more information: Alexander Winterstein – Tel.: +32 229 93265; Tove Ernst – Tel.: +32 229 86764)

Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of the tyre business of Reiff group by Bain Capital

The European Commission has approved, under the EU Merger Regulation, the acquisition of sole control over the tyre business of Reiff group of Germany by Bain Capital Investors, L.L.C. of the US. Reiff is a distributor of replacement tyres on the wholesale and retail level, predominantly in Germany. It also supplies wheel rims, complete wheels and ancillary services, and operates a truck tyre re-treading business. Bain Capital is a private equity investment firm active across most industries. The Commission concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns given the limited overlap between the companies’ activities.The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure. More information is available on the Commission’s competition website, in the public case register under the case number M.8545. (For more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

Concentrations: la Commission autorise l’acquisition d’Assystem GPS par Ardian

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement européen sur les concentrations, l’acquisition par Ardian France SA de la branche d’activité dite “GPS” (Global Product Solutions) du groupe Assystem (“Assystem GPS”), toutes deux basées en France. Assystem GPS est une division du groupe international d’ingénierie et de conseil en innovation Assystem, présent dans vingt pays. Assystem GPS est spécialisée dans l’ingénierie produits et les services post-développement dans les secteurs de l’aérospatial, de l’automobile, du transport et de l’industrie. Ardian est une société d’investissement privé indépendante présente en Europe, en Amérique du Nord et en Asie. Ardian détient une participation dans Trigo, société active dans le secteur de l’ingénierie industrielle. La Commission a conclu que la concentration envisagée ne soulèverait pas de problème de concurrence, compte tenu de son impact très limité sur la structure du marché. L’opération a été examinée dans le cadre de la procédure normale de contrôle des concentrations. De plus amples informations sont disponibles sur le site internet concurrence de la Commission, dans le registre public des affaires sous le numéro d’affaire M.8548. (Pour plus d’informations: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel.: +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

Upcoming events of the European Commission (ex-Top News)

It is with great concern that I have learnt of the violent attacks in Turku, Finland. While details are still emerging, we strongly condemn this unprovoked attack which comes only 24 hours after the horror that unfolded in Spain.

My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. I express my full solidarity with the security forces working to keep people safe on the ground, as well as with all the people of Finland and Prime Minister Juha Sipilä. The European Commission is at their full disposal for any support they may need.  

The European Union (EU) is committed to the safety of humanitarian workers. Every year, the EU marks World Humanitarian Day by adding its voice to the global campaign that honours humanitarian workers who, day after day, put their lives on the line to save the lives of others. World Humanitarian Day marks the anniversary of the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq, when 22 humanitarian workers lost their lives.

High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Christos Stylianides, made the following statement:

“We live in a world increasingly marked by countless attacks and violence against innocent people globally. This should never become the new normal, something we leave unchallenged.

Humanitarian workers who risk their lives to save others are often the targets. We saw this last week in Central African Republic or in Syria countless times.

Ahead of World Humanitarian Day, we pay tribute to and honour all those who risk their lives while bringing assistance to victims of wars and natural disasters worldwide. We commend the bravery of all men and women that continue to work selflessly for the benefit of others.

In long lasting conflicts, where the rules of war are ignored and trampled on, aid delivery is never easy but always indispensable. Humanitarian workers should be able to operate freely, to help those that need it most.

Sadly, more than 4000 humanitarian workers have bee nvictims of major attacks over the past two decades. Over one third of them were killed. These senseless attacks are a gross violation of International Humanitarian Law. 

We will not allow these attacks to deter our commitment to continue to help those in need.

The EU is a world leader in humanitarian assistance and is committed to promoting global understanding of and respect for International Humanitarian Law and the humanitarian principles.”

Background

In 2016, the EU mobilised €2.1 billion helping over 120 million people in over 80 countries around the world. This was the largest ever EU humanitarian aid budget to help those most in need, from people affected by severe large-scale crises in Syria, Yemen, South Sudan or the Lake Chad region, to victims of natural disasters such as the El Niño phenomenon, the tropical cyclone Winston in Fiji, the drought in Papua New Guinea, or the earthquake in Equator.

The EU contributes to the global respect for and compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) through advocacy and political measures such as dialogue, statements and initiatives, as well as through funding to ensure humanitarian access. The EU funds IHL dissemination targeting a wide range of stakeholders, as well as activities aimed at increasing the capacities of humanitarian workers in advocating for IHL, and implements large-scale information campaigns to raise awareness of IHL across the general public.

For more information:

Website of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO)

Website of the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management, Christos Stylianides

World Humanitarian Day 2017

ECHO Factsheet: International Humanitarian Law

Solidarity in Action