Brussels Live · EC midday briefing 2026-10-23 Transcribed and translated automatically from the original sound. Mistakes are possible. Machine translation. The original is authoritative. Independent service, not affiliated with the European Parliament or the European Commission. Source: © European Union. AI-generated: Transcripts, translations and summaries on this site are generated automatically by AI: speech recognition (Soniox), machine translation and summaries (Mistral AI). Not edited by humans before publication. EU AI Act, Article 50. [12:18:06] Speaker 1 [EN] Good afternoon, and welcome to our midday briefing. Apologies for the delay; let me begin with the agenda of President von der Leyen for next week. On Tuesday, the President will chair the meeting of the College of Commissioners here in Brussels. On Thursday, she will travel to Canada to participate in the EU-Canada summit together with President Costa. She will also be accompanied by HRVP Kallas and a number of executive vice presidents and commissioners. At the summit on the Thursday, at the margins of the summit, President von der Leyen will deliver a keynote speech on EU-Canada rel ations. At the CDH Institute, she will also participate in an EU-Canada business roundtable. The summit will then continue on Friday, and both presidents will meet with Prime Minister Mark Car ney. There will also be a press conference on Friday. This summit will be an important occasion to reaffirm and further strengthen our close partnership with Canada. At our summit last year, we set a high level of ambition for our relationship, and of course this year we intend to take that ambition even further. We will share with you more details in the coming days, so I encourage you to keep an e ye on our communication channels like always, where we will be providing you with additional details on the visit. This concludes the President's agenda for next week. Moving on, I would now like to invite Eva to the podium. She has an announcement concerning the EU Civil Protection Mechanism on a rather special occasion for us. [12:19:46] Speaker 2 [EN] Good afternoon, and thank you, Arianna. Indeed, today I would like to wish happy birthday to our European Civil Protection Mechanism, 25 years of saving lives and 25 years of European solidarity in action. Our European Civil Protection Mechanism is a powerful example of how Europe can act as one. Since it was established in 2021, it has been activated around 900 times; the re quests came from 160 countries and 8 international organizations. The mechanism has been strengthened over the past quarter century. We have coordinated assistance during wildfires, floods, earthquakes, and health emergencies ; also during the heat waves, and also during COVID-19. We have helped also repatriate Europeans from around the world in time of the crisis, and we provided massive support to Ukraine. Sending generators and evacuating Ukrainian patients from hospitals. I invite you to read our press release about the details. And as disasters and crises do not stop at national borders, nor should our sol idarity; this is why we today announce 22. 5 million in humanitarian aid for Yemen, at the time of the immense needs ca used by escalation of the conflict. This comes on top of 87. 5 million already allocated this year. Let me stress that our humanitarian aid is provided in line with the principles of humanity, neutralit y, impartiality, and independence. And it never goes to governments, or parties of the conflict. It's delivered through our trusted international partners, who provide assistance to people in need. And despite the serious current challenges in reaching those people in need, in Yemen right now, these principles will continue to guide our assistance also there in Yemen. You also have details in our press release, so please check them. [12:22:15] Speaker 1 [EN] Thank you, Eva. [12:22:16] Speaker 1 [FR] I will now continue with a reminder about the informal meeting of the European ministers responsible for trade, which is being held today in Dublin. The Commission is represented at this meeting by Commissioner Ševčovič. During this meeting, the minister will discuss ongoing negotiations on the European Union's free trade agreements, as well as our trade relations with our main partners. The discussions will focus in particular on opening up new markets, in order to diversify our trade, strengthen our economic resilience, and support European competitiveness. Commissioner Sevchevich will take part in the press conference scheduled for today around 15:00. I therefore invite you to save your questions on these topics, and more generally on the European Union's trade policy, for this dedicated press conference. [12:23:13] Speaker 1 [EN] And finally, I would like to extend a warm welcome to a group of visitors joining us today here in the press room. I understand that we have 25 journalists from different EU member states visiting us as part of a program organized by the Director General for Regional and Urban Policy. I hope you have a great time here in Brussels, and of course in particular with us here in the press room. It's a pleasure to have you with us. With that, we are now ready to take your questions. Let's start here in the press room. Go ahead, yeah. [12:23:50] Speaker 3 [EN] Hi, Lisa Heselund from a Danish TV2. I would like to ask you about the peace negotiations for Ukraine. Particularly, there are now reports that a group of European leaders are being considered as represent atives in peace negotiations among others: the Danish Prime Minister, but also the Norwegian and the Swedish, or I think the Finnish leader. We know also, of course, that Björn Sæberg, the head of cabinet of the president , is deeply involved already in these talks, so I would just want to know if you can confirm whether this is an idea on the table and how far you are with this idea, and also if the Commission thinks it's a good idea to have a group of European leaders representing Europe in, well, in potential and future negotiations. Thanks. [12:24:41] Speaker 1 [EN] What I can say, and then I give the floor to Christian, is that of course, as you're aware, the European Union was present at the talks earlier in the week that took place in Oslo. The expectation is now that there will be tal ks, further talks at multilateral level, at senior official level. Of course, the European Union will also be represented in that occasion. Christian, anything you want to add? [12:25:07] Speaker 4 [EN] Yeah, so this is what is concretely ongoing, and you know, more broadly, these negotiations are happening in different form ats, different places, different levels, involving heads of state and government, ministers, senior diplomats, and EU officials. And the EU is involved, and this is what I can say at this stage. [12:25:26] Speaker 1 [EN] You have a follow-up. [12:25:30] Speaker 2 [EN] Yeah, just if you can. [12:25:32] Speaker 1 [EN] Tell us if you are you backing the idea of a group of leaders representing Europe. There have also been talks about, for example, the higher representative of Kaja Kallas representing Europe, or other ideas. Do you think this is a good idea that you have a core group of leaders as representatives in these talks? Thanks. [12:25:50] Speaker 2 [EN] Thank you. What I can say is that we have always, of course, worked to have Ukraine in a position of strength, and we have always worked for a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. We're doing so at every occasion. Now the expectation is to have multilateral talks at senior official level, and we're not going to comment beyond that. Of course, if Christian wants to add, but I don't think there's more to say. [12:26:12] Speaker 1 [EN] Go ahead, if you have a question on this. [12:26:18] Speaker 4 [EN] Vitaly Sizov, Freedom TV channel. Just follow up: could you reveal some detail of feedback that you got from Vitkov after he came back from Moscow, and as you understood correctly, he was going to, like, expand this format to include Europeans in negotiation with Russians and Ukraine? What's the result? Will you be presented during the next possible round of meeting between Russia and Ukraine, and the United States? Thank you. [12:26:52] Speaker 2 [EN] Look, as we said, we are working constantly to have Ukraine above all in a position of strength, and for a just and lasting peace . What we can say is that now there is an expectation that there will be a multilateral-level discussion with representatives at senior official level. The EU will be present at these talks, and we're not going to provide a running com mentary of the exchanges at this stage. We just can confirm that this is the expectation to have these talks at senior official level happening in the near future. [12:27:27] Speaker 1 [EN] Other questions for us today, since Christian is here with me, I would focus on questions for Christian. Go ahead. [12:27:37] Speaker 2 [EN] Thank you so much, Ariana. As Ariana Stepanenko radio for Europe-Ukraine, you mentioned that there is an expectation of multil ateral talks. But Peskov, Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, already said today that the talks scheduled for the November, they are supposed to be trilateral. So do you mean yet another round, which is supposed to happen later, or just this is expectation for now but there is no conf irmation that this is going to happen? Thank you. [12:28:07] Speaker 1 [EN] I think I have been clear on the fact that this is the expectation that we have, and we're not going to comment further than that for now. Yes, go ahead. [12:28:19] Speaker 4 [EN] Hello, Adrienne de Calon for AFP. Just to clarify, can you explain if this multilateral talks can include the Russia ? Will the EU and Russia sit at the table together? [12:28:30] Speaker 1 [EN] Thanks. [12:28:32] Speaker 2 [EN] The format should be similar to the ones of the previous talks, for example in Miami, so I would not have more specific det ails than just confirm that the format should be the same. [12:28:43] Speaker 1 [EN] Yes, go ahead. [12:28:47] Speaker 4 [EN] Yes, Ariana, it has—sorry, to insist on this, but I think everybody is thinking of the same thing. When you say that it's going to be multilateral, but follow the example of Miami, do you mean that the European representatives will not sit at the same table as the Russians at the same time? They will do it separately? Not at the same table as the Russians? Thank you. [12:29:10] Speaker 1 [EN] At this stage, I wouldn't have further details to provide. The expectation is that there would be a joint commission council representation that would attend the meetings. Beyond that, as I said, I don't have other elements to share. Other questions for Christian? [12:29:30] Speaker 2 [EN] On foreign affairs matters in general, since he's here with me. [12:29:33] Speaker 1 [EN] Yes, go ahead. [12:29:41] Speaker 2 [EN] Magdalena Cedrow, Polish Press Agency. Thank you for the floor. Changing the topic, but it is also on the G20. It is about Polish aspirations on for the G20. Poland wants to formalize its presence in the group by securing a permanent obser ver or guest status with the goal of full membership. Does the commission support these efforts? Will it back Poland officially? Thank you. [12:30:17] Speaker 4 [EN] Thanks for the question. What I can say is that we support the efforts of Poland. And we welcome the engagement of all member states. With the G20 and in the G20. [12:30:30] Speaker 1 [EN] You have a follow-up. [12:30:35] Speaker 2 [EN] Is the support of the commission conditional on the presence of another EU member state with a similar economy, for example Spain? [12:30:46] Speaker 4 [EN] I have—I would just repeat what I just said, that we, of course, we welcome the engagement of all member states with the G 20 and in the G20. [12:30:57] Speaker 1 [EN] Other questions for Christian? Since he's here with me. At the back of the press room, I— [12:31:05] Speaker 4 [EN] Adrian Bakić, Slovenian public broadcaster. I have a question regarding the upcoming elections in Serbia, where the president of the assembly and acting president, Ana Brnabić, protested over the upcoming—over the composition of the EU observation delegation, saying it is biased. How do you comment on that coming from a country that is EU member, to be? And how important test will the upcoming elections on Sunday be for Brussels about the Serbian European path? Thank you. [12:31:39] Speaker 3 [EN] Yeah, first, let me—let me say that the EU is closely following, of course, the upcoming elections in Serbia on 25 October. Free, fair, and transparent elections are at the core of European dem ocracy. They must be organized in line with European and international standards. Specifically, on the election observation missions, let me be clear that we take any attemp ts to discredit members of the European Parliament in the election observers very seriously. Election observation missions deployed by well-established international organizations, including by members of the European Parliament, are playing an important role to ensure the democratic process and accountability are respected. Their work is based on clear standards, impartiality, and long-standing expertise. So we expect all countries, including of course candidate countries, and potential candid ates, to engage constructively and transparently with recognized international election observation efforts. The deployment of the long-term OSCE ODR election observation mission at the request of the Serbian authorities, by the way, as well as the invitation of the European Parliament, are important steps towards ensuring credible election observ ation and supporting the contribution of domestic observers to the integrity of the electoral process. Thanks. [12:33:14] Speaker 1 [EN] Other questions for Christian today? [12:33:17] Speaker 2 [EN] Not the case, as far as I can see. Not even online. Oh, sorry, Jorge, I had missed you. Go ahead. [12:33:23] Speaker 1 [EN] Yes. [12:33:23] Speaker 2 [EN] Thank you. [12:33:24] Speaker 4 [EN] I'm not sure if this is for Christian or Tomaj. It's related to Ukraine because, as you probably seen, President Zelensky has accused the United States of deliberately delaying or suspending purchases of U.S. -made weapons and we know that these weapons, for the most part, are paid for by Europeans. So basically you. Which makes you a part of the transaction. Have you seen an indication that this suspension or this deliveries are taking place? And have you asked the U.S. government to clarify what's going on? [12:33:54] Speaker 3 [EN] Thank you. [12:33:56] Speaker 4 [EN] Okay, in this we would have to—we would have to look into and get back to you. [12:34:02] Speaker 1 [EN] Okay. Other questions for us today or for Christian in this specific case? [12:34:08] Speaker 2 [EN] I have one question. Is it for Christian? [12:34:10] Speaker 1 [EN] No? Okay. I have one question—not for Christian. Okay, then Christian, thank you. We come back to other topics. Let's go to the back of the press room. Thank you. [12:34:21] Speaker 3 [EN] Good morning. Vincenzo Genovese from Euronews. I have a question on today's Calle Callas visit to the ICC in the NAG. I would like to know if the EU is considering to activate the EU blocking statu te to protect the ICC from the consequences of the U.S. sanctions that have been announced a few weeks ago. Thank you very much. [12:34:44] Speaker 1 [EN] Anwar joining me, then let's see if we have anything else to add with other spokes. [12:34:49] Speaker 5 [EN] Yes, indeed. I'll start on your first leg, since you mentioned the high rep and her visit. Today, indeed, the high representative Calle Callas is today in The Hague to show the EU's unwavering commitment and sol idarity to the international criminal court and international criminal justice. This afternoon, the high representative will meet with the president of the ICC, President Tomoko Akane, and the court's regist rar, Osvaldo Zavala-Giller. This visit takes place in the six months window that creates in deed space for dialogue and diplomacy. [12:35:28] Speaker 1 [EN] Thank you. And on the rest of your question, I think we have already said in the past all we had to say on the matter, so nothing to add at this stage. Other questions for Anwar, since he's here with me? Yes, Odile, is it for Anwar? [12:35:40] Speaker 2 [EN] Yes. [12:35:40] Speaker 1 [EN] Go ahead. [12:35:44] Speaker 6 [EN] Odile Arvé, for Radio North Britain. Une question sur le Moyen-Orient. Le projet E1, the construction de 1,000 habitations séparant effectivement. Ça ne marche pas, là? Bon. [12:36:02] Speaker 2 [EN] Ça marche. [12:36:03] Speaker 6 [EN] Ça marche. Bon. [12:36:03] Speaker 2 [EN] Oui. [12:36:04] Speaker 6 [EN] Alors, oui. Donc, dans la perspective de deux États, Is raël et la Palestine, on sait que le projet E1 de construction de 1,000 habitations sépar ant effectivement le territoire palestinien rendant de ce fait impossible la traversée pour les habitants, a été fortement critiqué. Mais on apprend maintenant que il y a une annonce du Premier ministre israélien Netanyahu de fermer toute la Cisjordanie après des attaques contre des Israéliens. Est-ce que vous avez une réaction? Merci. [12:36:54] Speaker 5 [EN] Merci. Merci, Odile. Je me permettrai de répondre d'abord sur le plan E1, avant de toucher du doigt la deuxième question, qui est la tienne. Alors, s'agissant de la publication par le gouvernement israélien de l'appel d'offres de construction de plus de 1,000, 200 log ements dans le cadre du projet de colonisation dit E1, nuit, et ce, fondamentalement, à la perspective de solutions fondées sur la coexistence à deux États. Pourquoi? La mise en œuvre du plan E1 diviserait la Cisjordanie en deux, isolant Jérusalem-Est et érodant davantage la viabilité de la solution à deux États. Ceci se passe pas dans un vacuum, mais dans un écosystème où la Cisjordanie connaît une instabilité accrue, ainsi que des niveaux de records de violence de la part des colons violents. Notre position, quelle est-elle? Elle est très claire. Les colonies israéliennes en Cisjordanie, y compris dans la zone E1, sont illégales, et ce, au regard du droit international. Et c'est la raison pour laquelle nous avons exhorté et nous continuons d'exhorter le gouvernement israélien à retirer l'appel d'offres, à mettre fin à ces plans E1, ainsi qu'à tous les autres projets d'expansion des colonies et à veiller à ce que les auteurs de violences commises par les colons répond ent de leurs actes. S'agissant de l'horizon politique, qui a toujours été le nôtre, à savoir celui de la solution à deux États, nous, Union européenne, réaffirmons not re attachement indéfectible à une paix globale, juste et durable, fondée sur la solution à deux États, conformément aux résolutions du Conseil de sécurité des Nations unies, avec deux États démocratiques, Israël et la Palestine, vivant côte à côte, et ce, dans la paix et la sécurité à l'intérieur de frontières reconnues et stables. Donc, voici quand il s'agit de notre position sur ce projet E1. Maintenant, quand il s'agit de la dernière des. Développements que tu as mentionnés. L'Union européenne condamne tous les actes de terrorisme et de violence à l'encontre des civils. [12:38:47] Speaker 5 [EN] C'est extrêmement clair. Permets-moi d'ajouter que tout en reconnaissant les préoccupations qui sont celles d'Israël en termes de sécurité, et a fortiori dans le contexte de tensions accrues en Cisjordanie, nous, Union européenne, soulignons l'importance de la liberté de circulation à l'intérieur de la Cisjordanie, ainsi qu'à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur du dit territoire. [12:39:14] Speaker 1 [EN] Merci, Anwar. Est-ce qu'on a d'autres questions à ce sujet? Je ne vois pas de main levée. D'autres questions pour Anwar? Pas de main levée non plus. Merci, Anwar. D'autres questions pour nous aujourd'hui sur des autres sujets? On revient ici en salle de presse. Oui. [12:39:37] Speaker 3 [EN] Hello. I think I'm from MLEX. Just a question for Thomas. Just a follow-up on some of the big news this week in the United States regarding Meta. And this is a rather large court ruling against Meta that was about 25 billion dollars following up another ruling in August that was 18 billion. So in the last couple of years, we've had a steady stream of complaints by U .S. administration officials about the DSA and, to some degree, the DMA. But essentially, the complaint is that these European legislations and rules are un fairly targeting EU companies. And my question today is how the Commission would respond to these accusations in light of these massive rulings against Meta. In the tens of billions, far exceeding any DSA decisions to date or even DMA decision s. That are in the millions. Can the U.S. administration say that the European legislation is actually targeting or unfairly targeting U.S. companies when U.S. states are levying such large fines? Thanks. [12:41:14] Speaker 4 [EN] Thanks, Matthew. Let's start maybe with the obvious that we have said many times from this podium. We have the sovereign right to legislate. And this, of course, applies to the digital sector. And we always do this in a proportionate way. We do not enforce and regulate by flag. We enforce and regulate by problem. That's a big, big difference. So the DSA, the DMA, DI Act, they apply to the U.S. companies. They apply to Asian companies, Chinese companies. They apply, of course, to European companies. One of the prime examples was this week with a booking dot com. Now, that being said, when we enforce our legislation, we start with the problem. And we always said that, speaking of the DSA and Meta, for example, because you're referring to this company, that this is a shar ed concern. We have a DSA investigation in two years. We reached the same conclusion as we have seen on the other side of the Atlantic. Now, again, when the company is able to offer safeguards in the U. S., then we expect these safeguards to be offered in Europe. This is what we're currently discussing with Meta. Let us have this dialogue. Let's see where this will lead. And again, then you're referring to the size of the fine. When we start an investigation, and even when we conclude an investigation, the amount of the fine is not where we're starting with. We are always having a proportionate fine, which is proportionate to the breach, to the gravity, to the duration. So we take these factors into account. And all of this, of course, to have a change of behavior. So the fine has never been the objective of any of our legislations. [12:42:49] Speaker 1 [EN] Thank you, Thomas. You have a follow-up question, a quick one, please, because I still have many hands raised from colleagues. Thank you. [12:42:58] Speaker 3 [EN] While you're up there, Thomas, of course, we've got lots of news in the last couple of weeks about riots in France and social disturbances. And then allegations that the social media platform s are not doing enough to remove some of the images or misinformation that might contribute to f omenting even more violence. And I'm just wondering what the Commission's role is when it comes to regul ating platforms versus what the role of the member states are. Because each member state has their own digital service coordinator. Is it really the role of the Commission to organize meetings, call upon these platforms, to do more? Or is it the member states themselves, in this case France or Belgium, Italy, where the actual events are occurring, for them to take the initiative to contact the companies and to say, well, we need a lot more efforts on your side to stop the misinformation on the platforms? Thanks. [12:44:10] Speaker 4 [EN] Thanks, Matthew. The first role is with the companies and with online platforms. They have to make sure in the DSA is very clear about it. They have to make sure that their systems, their algorithms, their services are not being mis used in such a context. So it is for online platforms to make sure that they comply with a number of obligations that are laid out in our regulation. Then, of course, the DSA also gives an entire toolbox to our member states that they can make use of in such a context if they see the need to rely on these tools. For example, law enforcement authorities under the DSA can send orders to online platforms to get certain information. What is the role of the Commission in there? We are, of course, always ready to support our member states if needed. This is why we had meetings, for example, with the French Digital Services Coordinator, ARCOM, but we had also a board meeting with all dig ital services coordinators because of the cross-border dimension of the events that we're currently facing in some of our EU member states. What is our role? Again, supporting our member states, seeing if platforms are responsive to the steps and the measures that o ur member states are taking. Should that be not the case, for whatever reason, then, of course, the Commission is ready to support and to also play its role if there is a systemic dimension. [12:45:25] Speaker 1 [EN] You have a related question, I think. Is it related? Okay, go ahead. It's fine. Yeah. It was a second question. Go ahead. [12:45:37] Speaker 4 [EN] Thank you. Regarding the ongoing talk with Meta, which you mentioned earlier, can I just get a sense of whether if Meta were to implement the same exact measures it promised to implement in the U. S., at some point in the future? Because from what I understand, it's not yet operative. Whether that would be enough for the Commission to close the DSA probe against Meta? Good question. Our DSA case is quite broad. We have an issue not only with the one safeguard that is being offered in the U.S. by a company, meaning the two-hour screen time limit, we have a broader issue with the addictive design, with the rabbit hole effec t, and this is what the DSA aims to tackle. So I mean, it's for our services to determine if it will be enough or not. Our basic principle is that if Meta can offer safeguards in the U.S. to protect children in the U.S., this must be offered immediately for kids in Europe. Now, will this be enough to close the case or not? For our services, I said it here, we will not settle the case for one or two safeguard s. We really need to tackle, and this is the objective of the DSA, the core addictive features of these companies. We want a change of behavior. [12:47:00] Speaker 1 [EN] Follow-up. Go ahead, John. [12:47:07] Speaker 3 [EN] Has such an offer been made on the part of Meta platforms, Inc. ? [12:47:15] Speaker 4 [EN] We are in constructive discussions with Meta on this precise issue. [12:47:22] Speaker 1 [EN] Let's see if we have related questions. Are there related questions? Not the case. Are there questions for Thomas on digital matters? We're going to stay with digital. Go ahead. [12:47:34] Speaker 5 [EN] Thanks very much. Maximilian Henning from Rapporteur. This is a question a bit out of left field. China, this summer, set up an international AI group of governments called the World Artificial Intelligence Corporation Organization, or WICO for short, has China ever reached out to the Commission on whether it wants to join this organization? If yes, when and how did it do so? And did the Commission reply? And if yes, what did it say? Thank you. [12:48:02] Speaker 4 [EN] Thanks, Maximilian. I'm I can tell you that we have not received a formal invitation whatsoever to join that cooperation group. Let me recall that the Commission's position has always been extremely clear. We need to tackle the risks that come from AI with global partners, because these challenges are global ones, not isolated , to the European Union. And in this context, let me say that we are already working with like-minded partners in different for a, be it the U.N., be it the G7, the G20, the OECD, and we have recently joined PAC Silica. So these are the existing fora in which we are raising our concerns and promoting the work that we're doing here with our AI Act, because let's not forget it. Europe already has the rules in place. [12:48:55] Speaker 1 [EN] Follow-up, Maximilian. Go ahead. [12:48:58] Speaker 5 [EN] You say you have not received a formal invitation. Can you say anything on any contacts on this matter below this level of formal invit ation? And I also want to ask, if such an offer were to come, would the Commission actually have a choice? Because, as you say, you have signed PAC Silica. And the Americans have been pretty clear that this seems to be an either-or situation. So thanks. [12:49:21] Speaker 4 [EN] We have signed PAC Silica. We have not received a formal invitation. I will not go into ifs, nor into hypothetical bilateral discussions we're having with our Chinese counterparts on this. [12:49:32] Speaker 1 [EN] Okay. Related questions to this. Gabriela Zerondes, not on this. Odile Zerondes? More or less. Related. Okay. Odile, then Gabriele, and then Vitali, I think, had a question for Thomas. [12:49:46] Speaker 6 [EN] Or Odile Harvey for Radio Nord-Bretagne. [12:49:51] Speaker 6 [FR] On 9, 10 and 11 November, the Paris Peace Forum will be held in Paris. And on the programme, there is also an entire session on the Kids Summit. I wanted to know whether you will be represented there, to promote the Kids Act, etc. Will you be attending? Thank you. [12:50:24] Speaker 4 [FR] Thank you, Odile. I can confirm that we will indeed be present. It is true that the Kids Act and the protection of minors online is an absolute priority not only for the President, but for the Commission as a whole. So, indeed, we have a strong interest in taking part in these discussions. [12:50:42] Speaker 1 [EN] Okay. Gabriele? [12:50:44] Speaker 1 [FR] I can get back to you. [12:50:46] Speaker 4 [FR] Sama agrees with this, [12:50:47] Speaker 4 [EN] actually. Gabriele Rosana, venir. Greece passed the Greek Parliament passed a social media ban for children under 15, which is due to take effect on the 1st of January 2027. I would like to know if the Commission considers this a fragmentation somehow of the internal market , if this somehow hinders or jeopardizes the internal market while you are working on a uniform ban for the entire E U. And if perhaps member states should not wait for that, since it's a matter of priority and you want it to be ad opted soon. Thank you. [12:51:27] Speaker 2 [EN] Thank you. Let's start with the overall objective. We're fully in line with our member states who do want to do more to prote ct their kids in the online world in light of all the harms that is being done to them. This is precisely why we have proposed the Kids Act. Now, indeed, several member states have notified their draft national laws to the European Commission . We have addressed procedures that we follow. We assess these drafts based on our assessment. We may give recommendation, a detailed opinion to member states. And we then take it from there. Now, indeed, our main objective is not to fragment our internal market. All kids across the entire European Union deserve an equal level of protection. This is precisely why we have proposed the Kids Act. And we definitely urge our co-legislatures to advance the work on this as quick ly as possible because we have no time to lose when it comes to the protection of our kids online. [12:52:19] Speaker 1 [EN] You have a follow-up, Gabriele. [12:52:23] Speaker 4 [EN] Since you used yourself the fragmentation word, do you think that if the Kids Act is not in pla ce, before the 1st of January, then there is a risk of fragmenting the internal market? [12:52:39] Speaker 2 [EN] Yes, and we have proposed the Kids Act with clear age limits. No own accounts below 15. Accounts with the supervision and control of parents between 13 and 15, and no social media at all for under 13. So our position on this matter is extremely clear. And this is what we have proposed for all member states across the entire European Union. [12:53:04] Speaker 1 [EN] I don't see other hands raised on digital matters for Thomas. Therefore, we can move to Vitali. If it's for Thomas, still. [12:53:14] Speaker 4 [EN] Yes, Vitali Sizov, Freedom TV channel, on security maybe you have got some feedback from SpaceX company on Starlink. Do you have some updates? Did they react in some way on your statement? [12:53:31] Speaker 2 [EN] Usually never comment on bilateral discussions we're having with the companies. I mean, it is more for the Ukrainian authorities to confirm or not if full services were restored in Ukraine. What I can say on this matter is definitely at least recall our position, which is that the latest reports that Starlink has decided to slow down its services in Ukraine are deeply concerning. And inconsistent with previous sharing of these essential needs for Ukrainian soldiers and for Ukraine to prote ct its territory and defend its citizens and this is why if not already done we definitely still ur ge SpaceX to restore full services for Ukraine. [12:54:16] Speaker 1 [EN] Other questions for Thomas? Not the case as far as I can see. Other questions for us today? Daniele from remote. Daniele? Daniele? You need to press on speak. [12:54:33] Speaker 3 [EN] Oh, yeah. Daniele. [12:54:35] Speaker 1 [EN] Sorry for that. Thank you very much for the floor. It's Daniele Weber for the Luxembourgish Public Radio. It's on an evergreen this time of the year. The daylight saving time. And yeah, many of us remember Jean-Claude Juncker, the former commission president, saying the people w ant this. We are doing this. Meaning abolishing changing the time. Or yeah, the clock. You know what I mean? So ever since that was 2018, ever since nothing happened, so I wanted to know whether the commission is acting in a way in this matter today. Can you confirm that there will be a study? When will the results be published? And what questions are asked in this study? What is the aim of the study? Thank you. [12:55:30] Speaker 2 [EN] Very much. [12:55:31] Speaker 3 [EN] We share your enthusiasm on the topic. It's one of our favorite press room topics, and in particular in Akaiza. It's thrilled with it. [12:55:38] Speaker 1 [EN] And listen, thank you, because this allows us to make an important public service announcement, which is that this weekend we will be turning backlog s by one hour. I will personally only turn it back by 55 minutes because I don't want to be late. But on this issue, member states, our position has remained the same since 2018 when we made the proposal to the co-legislatures on this issue. Member states are best placed to decide on this time. And since then, I mean, for eight years now, this proposal has been stuck in the council. There has not been a decision between member states. But we have been constructively engaging with success ive council presidencies to see what we can do. Our job as the commission is to foster consensus amongst member states and help coordinat e. But ultimately, this decision is with the member states. You asked about the study. Yes, we are working on a study as well that would then be ab le to possibly support in this decision-making. The. Work is ongoing. I do not yet have the date when we will be able to present results. But obviously the study will be looking into the various aspects of related to changing the time inter estingly, the summertime or changing clocks in Europe. It started during the first world war. And then it was kind of scrapped for a bit. And given that we are in an energy crisis now, it was France that exactly 50 years ago introduc ed summertime, reintroduced summertime, to say. Energy as a response to the oil crisis. But of course we have since had we have a directive in place since 2000 on this. And following many requests from member states, the European Parliament, we then decided in 20 18 to make a proposal and it has been stuck in the council ever since. So as a result, this weekend we will be turning our clocks back by one hour. Other questions on the time change? Let's see. Since I see hands raised from remote. Gerardo, Tommaso, is it on this? Probably not. No. Okay. Thank you. Other questions for Anakaisa? She's here with me. [12:58:15] Speaker 1 [EN] Not in the press room. I have two hands raised from remote. Let's see if it's for you. Let's go to Gerardo. [12:58:24] Speaker 2 [EN] Yeah. Hi. Can you hear me? [12:58:25] Speaker 1 [EN] Yes. And we see you. Hi. [12:58:27] Speaker 2 [EN] No. I mean, it's on the operation revival that was launched mentioning Juncker. But it's on the previous commission. College of Commission. There was a reporting this morning on New Observer about. [12:58:42] Speaker 1 [EN] Gerardo, just one second. Apologies. Let me check if Tommaso's for Anakaisa. [12:58:46] Speaker 2 [EN] Ah, yeah, yeah. Right. [12:58:47] Speaker 1 [EN] I will get back. Tommaso, is it for Anakaisa? Since your hand stayed raised. [12:58:53] Speaker 4 [EN] Yes. Good afternoon. It is for Anakaisa, actually. Tommaso Vallavotti at Encrono City. It's just a curiosity because the European Parliament yesterday adopted a position on the ET S, which called for the adoption of revised parameters for some industrial sectors, among which there is ceramic, ceramics. Which is a very important sector for the Italian economy. Which is actually penalized by the fact that it has been excluded from the CBAM. May you please explain why ceramics was excluded from the CBAM, which is actually a penalization for the sector because they paid ETS but they face competition from ceramics imported from out side the EU, which doesn't pay any price for carbon emitted. Many thanks. [12:59:48] Speaker 1 [EN] If I understood correctly, you would ask me to explain the European Parliament decision or their request and this is something I'm I would have to send you to ask the European Parliament about th is. It is part of the co-decision process that is related to the ETS proposal that or the review that we made back in July. But on the individual changes that the European Parliament is now making, these would be for them to comment, not for us. We are obviously very closely following and supporting the co-leg islatures in this process, but not commenting on their individual decisions. Tommaso, you have a follow-up? [13:00:40] Speaker 1 [EN] Uh, yes, I do, because— I mean, the question is: ceramics has been excluded from the CBAM, which is applies— applies only to certain sectors. May you please explain why ceramics is still out of the CBAM, which is— which is a competitive disadvantage for the sector, because they face unfair competition from abroad, right? Thanks. [13:01:04] Speaker 2 [EN] Um, CBAM is actually taxation, so it would be for my colleague, uh, she— she will get back on— on this — on the ceramics exclusion. [13:01:15] Speaker 3 [EN] Thanks a lot, Anna. Kai is Louise, you want to provide an answer already, or you want to get back later to Tommaso? [13:01:22] Speaker 2 [EN] Later. Okay, Tommaso, we'll be in touch. Louise, we'll be in touch in the afternoon. [13:01:26] Speaker 3 [EN] Thank you. Gerardo, we come back to your question. If you can start again. [13:01:37] Speaker 1 [EN] Yeah, hi, um, Gerardo from Politico. Yeah, there was this reporting this morning on you observer, uh, on former Commissioner Didi Reynders, there was an exchange that a WhatsApp exchange that was published, uh, between him and an intelligence operator from the Belg ian intelligence, and it was while Reynders was also a member of the college. I just want to know, since also the commission wanted to participate, and I think the commission said one year ago that it would have contributed to the investigation of the police, if this WhatsApp message was from, uh, Didi Reynders, actual phone at the commission, and it is something that was provided by the commission, and also in general, if you have a comment on the ongoing investigation and the new developments, thanks. [13:02:40] Speaker 2 [EN] Thank you. Balázs joining me, I doubt we would say much on ongoing investigation, and of course we stand always ready to cooperate with the national authorities on all matters, but Balázs. [13:02:51] Speaker 1 [EN] Ariana did my job as usual, so indeed we are very much aware of the proceedings pursued by the Belgian authorities on this point. To my knowledge we have not been contacted by the Belgian authorities, but should this be the c ase we will of course as usual cooperate. [13:03:10] Speaker 2 [EN] Thank you, Balázs. Since Balázs joined me, other questions for Balázs on the files he covers? No. Ah, wait, a couple from remote. Let's go to Alexandra. [13:03:24] Speaker 3 [EN] Thank you, Ariana, for the floor. Do you hear me well? [13:03:27] Speaker 2 [EN] We do, and we see you as well. [13:03:30] Speaker 3 [EN] On the same story, regarding former Commissioner Didier Reynders, irrespective of the Belgian investigation, does the commission consider that this revelations warrant an internal security review? Thank you. [13:03:48] Speaker 1 [EN] I would slow down a little bit and recall that from what we understand there is an ongoing investig ation, so no conclusions have been drawn, so I would not jump to any conclusion for this reas on. At this point in time. [13:04:05] Speaker 2 [EN] Thank you, Balázs. I see Tommaso has a hand raised. [13:04:15] Speaker 1 [PL] I will just begin: [13:04:17] Speaker 1 [EN] sorry for asking another question, but it's just on Ital y, because Prime Minister Meloni said after the European Council that she has talked with President von der Leyen and that she's optimist in as far as the request of flexibility is concerned. I wonder if you are already in contact with Italian authorities on this matter, and if you expect high -level contacts in the next days or weeks. Many thanks. [13:04:56] Speaker 2 [EN] Und die the point of flexibility in the Italian case: I think what is important to recall is that Ital y recently requested the activation of the national escape clause. On the Commission's side, there was a positive assessment, and the file has now moved to the Council. And it is for them to deliver a final opinion on the request. Obviously, this would give Italy extra fiscal space, be it in the field of defense or in the field of energy. This is their choice. And what I can confirm is that we have had good discussions with Ital y in particular as to how to make the best use of the extra fiscal space when it comes to energy me asures. [13:05:45] Speaker 3 [EN] Other questions for Balasz? Not the case. Thank you, Balasz. Other questions for us today on different matters? Go ahead. [13:05:57] Speaker 1 [EN] Hi, thank you for the floor, Alessia Balducci, now Italian News Agency. I have a question on the trade-and-fence partnership with Tur key announced yesterday by Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney. I would just like to know your take on this, because we know that Carney is interested in an alliance for the future, open not only to the European Union, so w ithout going into speculation and prejudging the outcome of the summit, but for now, I would just like to know: do you see this Canada-T urkey agreement as part of a bigger alliance for the future plan, like does this fit in that frame, and then secondly, if I may, have other partners reached out to you specifically showing interest in this alliance for the future idea, or is this more of a Canada-led initiative that you are just tagging along? Thank you. [13:06:46] Speaker 2 [EN] On the first part of the question, as you said, this is a trade agreement. We're not taking trade questions today; there is a presser dedicated to trade matters at 3 o'clock, so we're not going to enter into that. On the upcoming Canada summit, of course, the alliance for the future is an important component. We will have the summit coming up in a week; right now we're focused on that, and we will see in the future how to go about it, but our priority is to strengthen our relationship with Canada and the summit is the first very important occasion to do so. Other questions for us today? Not the case. That brings us to the end of our midday briefing. Thank you very much for having participated, also to the interpreters. We wish you a very nice weekend, and we will be back on Monday with our next press event. Goodbye.