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EU AI Act, Article 50. 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:25.792 Good afternoon and welcome to our midday briefing. 00:00:25.880 --> 00:00:31.088 We have a few announcements for you before we start with your questions and, 00:00:31.155 --> 00:00:36.000 unfortunately, we start with a very sad news. 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:43.535 You've all heard about the train crash this morning in Spain, and the European 00:00:43.617 --> 00:00:49.135 Commission mourns the tragic loss of many lives. 00:00:49.280 --> 00:00:56.461 Following the rail accident on the Madrid-Andalusia high-speed rail line in Spain, 00:00:56.540 --> 00:01:02.523 our thoughts and our feelings are with the victims and their families and friends, 00:01:02.631 --> 00:01:10.023 and all those affected. And the Commission, together with the European Union Agency 00:01:10.098 --> 00:01:15.541 for Railways, is closely following the situation, and we stand ready to support the 00:01:15.614 --> 00:01:21.913 Spanish authorities in any way that may be needed. 00:01:22.100 --> 00:01:30.106 Now, on a different subject, unfortunately, a happy subject is to welcome our groups 00:01:30.229 --> 00:01:38.909 of visitors here in the press room and today we have a group of Danish high school 00:01:39.016 --> 00:01:48.404 students on a visit learning about the jobs important, very important, job of 00:01:48.518 --> 00:01:56.633 interpreters and translators without whom we could not do our work on a daily basis. 00:01:56.780 --> 00:02:02.390 And you are preparing for that important work. 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:08.627 We hope you enjoy your time here with us in the European Commission and in the press 00:02:08.693 --> 00:02:13.705 room now. And with this, we can take your questions. 00:02:13.820 --> 00:02:15.620 Let me start here in the middle. 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:22.846 Hello, good afternoon. Thank you, Paula. Gerard Descaches with the Catalan News 00:02:22.909 --> 00:02:27.906 Agency. It's regarding today's tragic accident in Andalusia, well, in Toledo. 00:02:27.980 --> 00:02:33.284 I wanted to know if President von der Leyen has spoken with Prime Minister Pedro 00:02:33.346 --> 00:02:38.150 Sánchez and, if so, what was the readout of the conversation. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:42.976 And if, by any chance, President von der Leyen or any of the commissioners, such as 00:02:43.052 --> 00:02:49.489 Commissioner Rivera, and Commissioner Seix de Costas, would travel to decide as a 00:02:49.571 --> 00:02:53.185 show of solidarity or to learn more about the accident. 00:02:53.240 --> 00:02:54.440 Thank you. 00:02:54.680 --> 00:03:00.629 Thank you. Well, the President, President von der Leyen, received with great sadness 00:03:00.734 --> 00:03:09.745 this news. She posted very, very swiftly after she heard about this tragic accident. 00:03:09.800 --> 00:03:17.768 You may see her post this morning. She didn't have the opportunity yet to speak with 00:03:17.855 --> 00:03:24.044 Prime Minister Sánchez. President von der Leyen is currently traveling to Canada 00:03:24.220 --> 00:03:34.289 and, but she had the occasion and wanted absolutely to post to convey her feelings 00:03:34.394 --> 00:03:43.238 and her mourning to all the victims of this very tragic accident this morning. 00:03:43.400 --> 00:03:44.600 Yes, please. 00:03:51.320 --> 00:03:54.572 Now, Bruno Fortea for Catalan Public Radio. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:04:00.051 This is the second major train accident that happens in the same line in just a few 00:04:00.109 --> 00:04:06.141 months, involving dozens of deaths. There was also a few months ago another deadly 00:04:06.200 --> 00:04:12.067 train accident close to Barcelona. I would like to know if the European Commission 00:04:12.124 --> 00:04:16.669 has asked the Spanish authorities for some explanations and if you are concerned 00:04:16.730 --> 00:04:19.460 about the train security in Spain. Thank you. 00:04:21.440 --> 00:04:28.436 As. I mentioned at the very beginning, we are, of course, together with the European 00:04:28.504 --> 00:04:33.920 Union Agency for Railways, following the situation. 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:40.390 And on that basis, we are also ready to support the Spanish authorities in any way 00:04:40.452 --> 00:04:46.158 that may be needed. It's too early, absolutely too early, to draw any conclusions. 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:52.474 But through the agency, we will be looking more closely and establish also the 00:04:52.548 --> 00:04:59.240 contacts which may be required in such tragic circumstances. 00:05:00.980 --> 00:05:02.180 Yes, Antoine. 00:05:08.360 --> 00:05:11.840 Thank you, Paula. Antoine Moutofart, Japanese Public TV and HK. 00:05:11.900 --> 00:05:17.964 Since in your announcement you already kind of mentioned that you are ready, you're 00:05:18.035 --> 00:05:22.311 standing ready to support the Spanish authorities. 00:05:22.400 --> 00:05:29.693 Do you already know what you could do, what you tend to do, and also you in the past 00:05:29.777 --> 00:05:37.073 question you already mentioned a kind of what would be the following steps about a 00:05:37.126 --> 00:05:41.665 possible potential investigation. But have you already heard anything about the 00:05:41.720 --> 00:05:47.243 potential error human error mentioned by the Spanish authorities? 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:48.500 Thank you. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:54.843 Thank you, Antoine. And Anna Kaiser will remind us what is the role of the European 00:05:54.897 --> 00:05:58.487 Union Agency for Railways and in such a context. 00:05:58.580 --> 00:06:05.903 Anna Kaiser. So, indeed, first, what kind of assistance can the Commission give us, 00:06:05.954 --> 00:06:09.924 as Paula was saying, we stand ready to provide any assistance that is requested, 00:06:10.003 --> 00:06:15.140 that is required. So, from, and then I'm here only talking about the transport side, 00:06:15.228 --> 00:06:22.994 but obviously when there's an acute crisis situation, DG ECHO can stand in to help 00:06:23.074 --> 00:06:28.879 as well if so required. So, from the transport side, obviously we can offer various 00:06:28.946 --> 00:06:36.039 kinds of technical help, but really in the current, in today's accident, we are 00:06:36.092 --> 00:06:41.076 still at the very, very early stages of determining what happened. 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:47.194 And here we want to give also the space and possibility for the Spanish authorities 00:06:47.248 --> 00:06:52.572 to do this work and for them to communicate and for them to be in touch with our 00:06:52.640 --> 00:06:56.957 ERA, our agency, railways agency as well as with our services. 00:06:57.020 --> 00:07:01.818 And we will then take the work forward when we have a better visibility, better 00:07:01.858 --> 00:07:05.594 understanding of what has happened, what kind of assistance would be needed. 00:07:05.660 --> 00:07:13.580 But this is the process. So therefore, given that this massively tragic accident is 00:07:13.760 --> 00:07:22.720 literally unfolding still at the moment and we're still waiting to hear what. 00:07:22.880 --> 00:07:29.676 Final consequences, human and other, it might eventually have we stay in touch with 00:07:29.757 --> 00:07:33.887 the Spanish authorities to get their full reading and understanding what has 00:07:33.932 --> 00:07:42.545 happened first and then it's our role to step in when and if requested. 00:07:42.680 --> 00:07:52.820 Other questions to Anna Kaiser? Jorge. 00:07:55.760 --> 00:08:00.143 Yes, it's on energy, but maybe it's more for you, Paula, because we're once again 00:08:00.200 --> 00:08:05.005 seeing reports that the United States and Russia are actively discussing the 00:08:05.067 --> 00:08:09.933 reopening of the Nord Stream pipeline and the resumption of Russian gas flows into 00:08:10.012 --> 00:08:14.286 Europe after the war in Ukraine. Comes to an end. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:20.444 Can you categorically rule out that after the war, after the peace deal, regardless 00:08:20.501 --> 00:08:25.895 of how this peace deal looks like, the Nord Stream pipeline will be reopened and 00:08:25.959 --> 00:08:30.142 Russian gas will flow again into Europe? Can you really tell the U.S. 00:08:30.200 --> 00:08:33.260 and Russia to forget all about this? Thank you. 00:08:35.000 --> 00:08:42.832 Thank you, Jorge. I think our position on this topic has been made very, very clear 00:08:42.920 --> 00:08:48.285 by the President, by President von der Leyen, at several occasions recently, most 00:08:48.355 --> 00:08:53.534 recently last week at the Parliament's European Parliament's plenary, and before 00:08:53.585 --> 00:08:56.473 that in the margins of the European Council. 00:08:56.540 --> 00:09:03.460 And there she was referring specifically to the sanctions that we have and that are 00:09:03.530 --> 00:09:11.213 there because of the war. And the President said very clearly that energy sanctions 00:09:11.330 --> 00:09:20.283 will stay until Russia stops this war. So the position is absolutely clear. 00:09:20.480 --> 00:09:29.892 Made in the occasion of the plenary at the Parliament last week and as said also in 00:09:29.968 --> 00:09:38.868 the context of the European Council, we know far too well the hidden costs of being 00:09:38.969 --> 00:09:43.679 dependent of Russia for the purchase of fossil fuels. 00:09:43.760 --> 00:09:48.573 They have been weaponized, and we have been paying the price. 00:09:48.680 --> 00:09:52.580 So we do not forget that. Jorge. 00:09:55.400 --> 00:10:00.050 Yes, thank you. But as you said, the President spoke about maintaining the sanctions 00:10:00.104 --> 00:10:04.793 until the war comes to an end. What's been discussed now is the scenario after the 00:10:04.863 --> 00:10:08.592 war, when peace returns, hopefully to Ukraine one day. 00:10:08.660 --> 00:10:14.957 So can you rule out that after the war, when peace returns, the Nord Stream pipeline 00:10:15.022 --> 00:10:19.600 will remain shut down and Russian gas will not flow into Europe? 00:10:19.700 --> 00:10:20.900 Thank you. 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:24.260 Well, first of all, we want to see the war ending. 00:10:24.320 --> 00:10:30.757 That is the absolute priority. And on your second point, as I said, we have learned 00:10:30.854 --> 00:10:36.006 with or without war, we have learned the price and we have been paying the price of 00:10:36.089 --> 00:10:42.203 being dependent on the imports of fossil fuels from Russia. 00:10:42.320 --> 00:10:46.838 Yes. And just to remind that we have the Repower legislation in force. 00:10:46.940 --> 00:10:54.464 So that is not tight to sanctions or any geopolitical events either. 00:10:54.560 --> 00:10:57.793 It is already the legislation is in force, it's been implemented. 00:10:57.860 --> 00:11:04.248 So regardless of what happens, we are facing out Russian gas and LNG from the 00:11:04.310 --> 00:11:10.513 European market. And the last shipments should be finished by the end of next year. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:15.685 And as Paula said, our position on Nord Stream has been very clear since the 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:23.485 beginning of this whole project. It's not for us to decide whether it will be 00:11:23.563 --> 00:11:29.708 functioning in the European Union or not. And let us, and thank you very much, 00:11:29.776 --> 00:11:32.723 indeed, Anna Kaiser, we have legislation in place. 00:11:32.780 --> 00:11:38.922 And on top of it, it's a good occasion to remind ourselves who has cut the supplies 00:11:38.981 --> 00:11:48.626 in the first place. It was Russia in case this is being forgotten in the meantime. 00:11:48.920 --> 00:11:50.120 Lawrence. 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:57.977 Thanks. I'm a little surprised, Paula. Precisely because of what Anna Kaiser said, 00:11:58.017 --> 00:12:02.799 that we do have this legislation. I would have thought it would be very easy to say, 00:12:02.840 --> 00:12:08.518 yes, we can rule out ever having Nord Stream again or ever having gas because we 00:12:08.589 --> 00:12:12.181 have legislation for it. But you didn't say that. 00:12:12.260 --> 00:12:18.380 And we know that the U.S. is pushing very hard for energy sanctions to be lifted as 00:12:18.500 --> 00:12:22.183 part of a deal. So I'm just going to give you the chance again. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:28.832 Can you rule out that Nord Stream will ever be reinvented with another name or the 00:12:28.885 --> 00:12:35.267 same name and piping gas into Europe? Can you rule out that we will be importing 00:12:35.313 --> 00:12:36.740 Russian gas in the future? 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:43.380 If you prefer that I reply the same thing with those words, yes, we have legislation 00:12:43.434 --> 00:12:51.072 in place, which prevents us from resuming the imports of fossil fuels, of gas in 00:12:51.211 --> 00:12:58.940 particular, from Russia. Other questions? Yes, Barbara. 00:13:01.880 --> 00:13:05.864 Thank you. It's linked to Ukraine, so if I may. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:10.967 Zelensky opened a door for discussion on our Russian security guarantees in the 00:13:11.056 --> 00:13:16.216 context of a peace deal. Something that was previously a red line for Kyiv and also 00:13:16.284 --> 00:13:20.313 for its European allies. So I would wondered if you have a comment on that. 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:24.909 Does the Commission believe that such a discussion about Russian security guarantees 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:27.567 can be held in the context of peace negotiations? 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.820 Thank you. 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:36.417 Thank you, Barbara. So you know that there have been different discussions notably 00:13:36.533 --> 00:13:43.786 in Miami, most recently in Oslo. Different discussions on how to put an end to this 00:13:43.843 --> 00:13:48.561 war, whether EU has participated. We will not go into the details of those 00:13:48.614 --> 00:13:53.463 discussions, but it's clear and it's been said a number of times that as part of 00:13:53.530 --> 00:13:59.604 those discussions, the subject of territory, the subject of security guarantees for 00:13:59.686 --> 00:14:08.546 Ukraine and the subject of prosperity for Ukraine has been the topic. 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:09.980 Yes, please. 00:14:12.500 --> 00:14:16.579 Thank you so much, Paula. Zoryana Stepanenko, Radio Free Europe, Ukraine. 00:14:16.640 --> 00:14:23.066 Regarding the recent call to Vladimir Putin that the leaders of Finland and Norway 00:14:23.180 --> 00:14:27.743 have made, so how would you assess the outcome of that call given that Vladimir 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:32.178 Putin doesn't seem to even tend to change in his position? 00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:36.118 So do you see that those calls might make any sense? 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:41.957 And another short question, if I may, also we heard from a Finnish president, 00:14:42.007 --> 00:14:48.052 Alexander Stubb, yesterday that in the upcoming talks in Abu Dhabi, the Europeans 00:14:48.168 --> 00:14:53.196 may take part. Though we heard recently from the Kremlin spokesperson that it's 00:14:53.258 --> 00:14:57.688 going to be trilateral talks. So is there any update judging from this statement 00:14:57.731 --> 00:15:00.973 that we've heard yesterday from Finnish president and, yeah, do you have any 00:15:01.015 --> 00:15:04.349 information that European actually can join those talks in Abu Dhabi? 00:15:04.400 --> 00:15:05.600 Thank you. 00:15:06.140 --> 00:15:16.940 Thank you. And yes, we know about the call, which took place between President 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:24.476 Stubb, Prime Minister Stubb, and President Putin, which was which took place on 00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:32.854 bilateral basis. And is a follow-up to the meeting in Oslo of last week on the 20th 00:15:32.941 --> 00:15:42.477 of October. And as we have said before, the EU is united in our commitment not only 00:15:42.572 --> 00:15:49.780 to put an end to this horrific war, but also to achieve peace that will be just and 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:56.676 that will be sustainable. This is the stance that we have been defending on the 00:15:56.780 --> 00:16:05.631 ongoing talks. And what is important here is that we keep a united message with this 00:16:05.728 --> 00:16:11.960 regard with whatever talks are held with President Putin. 00:16:12.080 --> 00:16:19.893 Now, with regard to upcoming discussions, we have no further information to share at 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:26.300 this point. But also worth recalling, again, what has been our position on this and 00:16:26.390 --> 00:16:29.180 Christian, you will help me here. 00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:39.009 Yes, just to maybe remind of our of our united commitment that Paula just mentioned. 00:16:39.140 --> 00:16:42.937 Let me refer back to the European Council that made very clear that it remains to 00:16:42.995 --> 00:16:46.893 determine to further increase pressure on Russia so that it stops. 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:52.556 It's a brutal war of aggression and engages in meaningful negotiations towards 00:16:52.664 --> 00:16:57.622 peace. The Council also underlined the importance of further sustained efforts to 00:16:57.688 --> 00:17:05.358 provide military support to Ukraine so we keep standing by Ukraine and unfortunately 00:17:05.480 --> 00:17:12.658 so far Russia has not shown signs that it is willing to end its war of aggression. 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:20.120 But of course we're engaging in diplomatic efforts in this context. 00:17:23.600 --> 00:17:26.660 Another question to Christian. Oui, Olivier. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:34.341 Yes, hello Olivier Baud, OFL. This is more of a question for you. 00:17:34.412 --> 00:17:38.693 President Zelensky has just arrived in the Netherlands. 00:17:38.796 --> 00:17:43.303 I was wondering whether any contact or meeting was possibly planned between the 00:17:43.352 --> 00:17:45.980 President and Mr Zelensky today before she departs for Canada. 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:50.360 Sorry, Olivier, I couldn’t hear the last part of your question. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:56.600 If a meeting or contact is planned between President Zelensky and President von der 00:17:56.682 --> 00:18:00.822 Leyen before she leaves for Canada, I do not know if it is tonight or if she has 00:18:00.868 --> 00:18:02.068 already left. 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:09.197 Yes, thank you. Listen, President von der Leyen and President Zelensky are in very, 00:18:09.268 --> 00:18:15.943 very frequent and regular contact. Today, it may be a little more difficult because, 00:18:15.988 --> 00:18:26.394 as I said at the beginning, the President is on her way or rather in the air, 00:18:26.510 --> 00:18:33.943 heading to Canada. But they remain in regular contact, whether directly or through 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:37.820 their respective teams. Gérald. 00:18:40.760 --> 00:18:43.588 Thanks, Paula. It's a follow-up on the call from yesterday. 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:49.232 You said that we know about the call. Did you know about the call before the call 00:18:49.280 --> 00:18:52.442 was taken, like where was the Commission informed? 00:18:52.520 --> 00:18:59.091 And was the Commission informed after by President Stubb on the content, like 00:18:59.153 --> 00:19:05.703 briefed, let's say? And you also said this is a united commitment from the EU, but 00:19:05.769 --> 00:19:08.960 at the same time we had European leaders met. 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:16.295 Did Danish Prime Minister that. Who didn't seem super happy about the initiative? 00:19:16.400 --> 00:19:23.865 Do you think do you still think that this initiative by Stubb is still has the 00:19:24.020 --> 00:19:28.940 united backing. By the Commission and the leaders as well? 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:34.154 Thank you, Gérald. Yes, we were informed before the call. 00:19:34.280 --> 00:19:42.580 And as I said earlier on, what is really important here is that we remain united 00:19:42.668 --> 00:19:48.443 behind the same message to be conveyed by President Putin. 00:19:48.560 --> 00:19:55.229 And unfortunately, as also Christian reminded, we are not seeing a lot of readiness 00:19:55.340 --> 00:20:02.427 to engage in such discussions by President Putin himself. 00:20:02.540 --> 00:20:05.360 Other questions? Yes, please. 00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:10.880 Thank you, Gina Smylek from the New York Times. 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:16.181 President Zelensky has said repeatedly and repeated yesterday that he and Ukraine 00:20:16.232 --> 00:20:24.099 are waiting on the sign-off of Pete Hegseth to receive some Patriot missiles, that 00:20:24.149 --> 00:20:28.145 have been held up in the U.S. I was wondering if you guys have had any if anyone at 00:20:28.190 --> 00:20:32.466 the Commission or the EU has had interactions with your partners in the U.S. 00:20:32.540 --> 00:20:36.860 surrounding that sign-off by Mr. Hegseth, and if so, you know what the hold-up is? 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:44.920 Thank you, Gina. I don't have any comments on this to offer. 00:20:45.080 --> 00:20:50.060 In this discussions in this talks that have been taking place, as said, be it in 00:20:50.120 --> 00:20:53.445 Miami, be it in Oslo, many issues are raised. 00:20:53.540 --> 00:20:59.024 I don't exclude that this topic could have been raised, but I have really no further 00:20:59.075 --> 00:21:05.068 information on this. Other questions for us today? 00:21:05.180 --> 00:21:06.380 Yes. 00:21:08.360 --> 00:21:10.832 Sorry, Paula, I'm just Angela Skujans from Euronews. 00:21:10.880 --> 00:21:13.357 I'm just trying to follow up from my colleague's question. 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:17.114 So is it that you don't know whether or not the European anyone from the European 00:21:17.152 --> 00:21:21.865 Commission has pressed Pete Hegseth about the Patriots, or that it hasn't he hasn't 00:21:21.920 --> 00:21:23.780 been pressed from your side? 00:21:24.440 --> 00:21:28.820 No information about this. Yes. Stefan. 00:21:31.520 --> 00:21:35.540 It's on probably more on the enlargement on Serbian elections. 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:40.100 Then let me just make sure that we don't have more questions for Christian today. 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.540 We do. Please. 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:49.183 Good morning. Pietro Guastamacchia from Rapporteurs. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:53.083 A follow-up on interceptors, but this time the European one. 00:21:53.180 --> 00:22:00.704 Zelensky had said that the 10. Percent of the interceptor laying in the E5 arsenal 00:22:00.791 --> 00:22:04.061 would be sufficient for Ukraine to make through the winter. 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:09.236 So if you don't have any information of whether you have put pressure on the U.S. 00:22:09.380 --> 00:22:13.575 for delivering interceptors, have you been putting pressure on European capitals to 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:15.500 deliver interceptors to Ukraine? Thank you. 00:22:18.260 --> 00:22:19.580 Do you want to talk on it? Yes. 00:22:21.260 --> 00:22:27.689 Look, of course, air defense remains the key priority for Ukraine, as we see the 00:22:27.774 --> 00:22:34.516 attacks every day, unfortunately. We have already approved procurement plans worth 00:22:34.589 --> 00:22:37.780 28. 3 billion under the Ukraine Support Loan. 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:41.731 Which includes purchases of Patriot missiles from future U.S. 00:22:41.780 --> 00:22:46.889 production, but of course this takes time, and this is why we have repeatedly called 00:22:46.970 --> 00:22:53.488 on the HIVP has also called on member states in different formats or on member 00:22:53.561 --> 00:22:59.635 states, but also on partners, international partners, to supply missiles from their 00:22:59.692 --> 00:23:04.699 own stocks to Ukraine. And of course these efforts are ongoing. 00:23:04.760 --> 00:23:11.240 Also for sure with you to the next to the next Foreign Affairs and Defense Councils. 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.420 Wait, I have it. 00:23:16.760 --> 00:23:19.098 Thank you. David Carretta, Radio Radicale. 00:23:19.160 --> 00:23:26.259 On the 10 of September, if I remember well, you announced that part of the loan, six 00:23:26.323 --> 00:23:33.080 more than six billions, would have been granted to Ukraine. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:37.239 To buy interceptor Patriot interceptor PAC-3. 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:44.635 So I'm wondering how you how it's possible that you don't know if the U.S. 00:23:44.780 --> 00:23:53.655 are not delivering or not sighing the authorization to deliver interceptor to 00:23:53.788 --> 00:23:58.890 Ukraine. Since I mean, you are putting some money on that. 00:23:58.940 --> 00:24:00.140 Thank you. 00:24:00.260 --> 00:24:03.736 And now the question that we had been asked before was a different one, was to what 00:24:03.777 --> 00:24:08.634 extent this had been discussed in the talks with the U.S. 00:24:08.780 --> 00:24:11.074 and to that, I said I have no further information. 00:24:11.120 --> 00:24:16.797 I cannot exclude that it has been raised. Now, you referred to the loan and the 00:24:16.880 --> 00:24:21.779 tranche that in September was approved indeed. 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:28.199 Whether derogation, so allowing for the acquisition, also of Patriots, derogation 00:24:28.280 --> 00:24:35.382 because it does not come from the EU or from Ukraine for this matter. 00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:41.840 And there I do not have directly the information of where we are on that, but I will 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:51.140 then call on Thomas to give us the latest since we have approved that disbursement. 00:24:51.800 --> 00:24:56.780 Thanks, Paula. And just indeed to put it into context, I mean, the Ukraine loan has 00:24:56.823 --> 00:25:01.684 specifically been designed with the necessary flexibility to allow for derogation. 00:25:01.760 --> 00:25:07.265 You're right. This was granted in December, including for interceptors. 00:25:07.340 --> 00:25:12.740 These are absolutely crucial products for Ukraine to be able to defend itself. 00:25:12.800 --> 00:25:18.955 This is why, of course, the urgent delivery of these equipments is absolutely 00:25:19.042 --> 00:25:24.390 crucial. Work is ongoing, and we do expect that those interceptors will be delivered 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:25.640 soon. 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:32.540 Good. Now that we have Thomas with us, Jan. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:45.099 Afternoon, Jaco Picherle, Bloomberg News. Our question regarding the AI Act requests 00:25:45.260 --> 00:25:52.980 for information. Several. Requests for information were sent to all the major AI 00:25:53.080 --> 00:25:57.800 labs, including some that were involved in cyber incidents over the summer. 00:25:57.860 --> 00:26:04.069 I think to remember the deadline for most of these companies to answer such requests 00:26:04.168 --> 00:26:11.451 was last week. I just wanted to make sure that I asked whether the Commission had 00:26:11.522 --> 00:26:15.080 received every single answer to its requests. 00:26:16.760 --> 00:26:21.393 Thanks, Jan. Positive news here. So indeed two different sets of RFIs. 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:26.199 Just to briefly recall, although you know it definitely, so one was focused on 00:26:26.300 --> 00:26:30.486 safety and security, another one on copyright-related issues. 00:26:30.560 --> 00:26:37.750 Two more than 30 companies I can confirm that some deadlines have been prolonged for 00:26:37.807 --> 00:26:41.916 some reasons, but for all those that have expired, I can confirm that the Commission 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:46.760 has received the information and we're currently assessing it. 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:48.200 Jan. A follow-up. 00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:52.296 I mean, you kind of planted the question yourself. 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:55.580 Which ones have been prolonged? 00:26:56.960 --> 00:27:00.626 This is a bilateral discussion. We're having with certain companies. 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:04.145 We of course need to make sure that all companies receive the RFI in order to be 00:27:04.198 --> 00:27:08.670 able to respond to it. Work is ongoing with a few of them, but the vast majority of 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:13.595 replies have been received by the Commission. 00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:18.666 Good. And Razia, do you want to come in on this topic? 00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.520 Go ahead. 00:27:19.520 --> 00:27:24.260 Thank you. Razia Akoch, AFP news agency. I don't know if in your reply you answered 00:27:24.303 --> 00:27:26.557 the question for some reasons. Could you elaborate? 00:27:26.600 --> 00:27:30.802 And I just want to insist on the point of could you name the companies? 00:27:30.860 --> 00:27:32.060 Thank you. 00:27:32.360 --> 00:27:34.182 Thanks. I'll not elaborate on the reasons. 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:38.228 Again, bilateral discussions we're having with the companies on which companies? 00:27:38.300 --> 00:27:41.692 No, we never comment on which company has received an RFI or not. 00:27:41.780 --> 00:27:43.901 The list would be in any case pretty long on this one. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:47.297 It's more than 30 companies, 35 if I'm not mistaken. 00:27:47.360 --> 00:27:48.680 So quite a long list. 00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:55.347 Yes. Razia. I just wanted to fact-check you, not never. 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:57.200 You have in the past. Thank you. 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:02.180 Not under the AI Act, at least not from my side here on the podium. 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:10.460 Consistency. On this side. Okay. Other questions to Jan? 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:16.280 You can actually come. 00:28:16.760 --> 00:28:22.017 Jan, we'll look for you when we have a vacancy indeed. 00:28:22.160 --> 00:28:26.900 Apologies. Other questions for Thomas? Yes, please. 00:28:28.820 --> 00:28:29.480 Louis Dubois, pour 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:33.028 Europe Agence, I had a question regarding the social movement in France. 00:28:33.137 --> 00:28:37.281 The French media Blast reported on a letter sent by French Prime Minister Sébastien 00:28:37.327 --> 00:28:41.812 Lecornu to the various operators. explore the possibility of cutting off access to 00:28:41.871 --> 00:28:47.572 certain social networks, in particular TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram. 00:28:47.662 --> 00:28:51.559 Has the Commission been informed of such a measure? 00:28:51.689 --> 00:28:53.060 And that's it. 00:28:54.860 --> 00:29:00.071 Hello. Thank you for the question. So, as regards the riots taking place in France, 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:05.665 once again, the DSA, to start with the DSA, provides a whole arsenal of measures 00:29:05.728 --> 00:29:10.379 that national authorities, whether in France or elsewhere, can use to, of course, 00:29:10.482 --> 00:29:13.981 hold online platforms accountable for the role they play. 00:29:14.048 --> 00:29:18.739 As regards the letter and the discussions we are having with the Member States, I 00:29:18.776 --> 00:29:21.608 will not be committing myself on this issue from this podium. 00:29:21.706 --> 00:29:26.426 That is what has been announced or in the letter, in any case in the reports that we 00:29:26.489 --> 00:29:30.571 have seen. This has not materialised. It has not taken place. 00:29:30.635 --> 00:29:35.180 Therefore, I myself will not, from this podium, elaborate on this subject. 00:29:37.160 --> 00:29:38.840 And. A follow-up question. 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:43.966 There is another day of mobilisation planned for 5 November, so there is still the 00:29:44.018 --> 00:29:45.856 possibility of social media being cut off. 00:29:45.898 --> 00:29:49.160 If this cut-off happens, do you find the measure appropriate? 00:29:50.780 --> 00:29:53.299 So, this is still very hypothetical at this stage. 00:29:53.355 --> 00:29:56.569 Again, I will not commit myself. Again, I invite you first to check with the French 00:29:56.605 --> 00:30:00.428 authorities what the potential legal basis might be before I comment on the 00:30:00.488 --> 00:30:06.133 feasibility or otherwise. We are, as always, in contact with the French authorities, 00:30:06.191 --> 00:30:08.840 but I will not comment on a hypothetical scenario at this stage. 00:30:10.820 --> 00:30:19.100 Okay. Any other questions for... Thomas? Yes. 00:30:19.520 --> 00:30:20.720 Please. 00:30:22.820 --> 00:30:25.676 Hi Thomas, Angela Scutens again from Euronews. 00:30:25.760 --> 00:30:30.148 I was wondering if you could give us an update on the safe plans that are still in 00:30:30.206 --> 00:30:32.420 the pipeline, particularly Hungary. Thank you. 00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:38.720 Positive. News that I can give you, Angie, so indeed the Commission has just this 00:30:38.780 --> 00:30:42.994 morning approved the last and remaining safe plan, which is the Hungarian one. 00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:49.233 So this confirms the 5.4 billion euro plan for Hungary, which is now going to the 00:30:49.281 --> 00:30:54.200 Council for approval on the Council side. Now, one final point on this one. 00:30:54.320 --> 00:30:59.105 This now also obviously set in stone the potential leftovers, slightly north of 21 00:30:59.210 --> 00:31:03.431 billion euro, and now you can also expect the Commission at some point to be in 00:31:03.478 --> 00:31:05.540 touch with member states on these leftovers. 00:31:07.520 --> 00:31:13.400 Yes. Other. Questions for Thomas? David? 00:31:16.160 --> 00:31:23.309 Yes. Thank you, Paula. To my fair remember, well, Austria has notified its 00:31:23.433 --> 00:31:35.866 intention, its law to put age limit for kids and the access of social platform. 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:41.170 At the same time, you have presented the proposal on the Kids Act. 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:48.164 There are other member states that are notifying national measure that limit the age 00:31:48.305 --> 00:31:56.958 to access social media. And there is a deadline for Austria tomorrow, I guess. 00:31:57.080 --> 00:32:05.924 Do you have any news on what are you going to do to object to this draft law or to 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.400 give a green light? Thank you. 00:32:08.540 --> 00:32:12.093 Thanks, David. You are absolutely right. We have a deadline of tomorrow to get back 00:32:12.140 --> 00:32:17.201 to the Austrian authorities regarding their draft national law. 00:32:17.300 --> 00:32:20.420 You said it. I mean, nothing new to announce for now on this. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:25.213 Let's wait tomorrow until the final notification goes to the Austrian authorities. 00:32:25.280 --> 00:32:28.164 Generally speaking, you said it in your absolutely right, David. 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:30.564 The Commission has presented the Kids Act. 00:32:30.620 --> 00:32:35.465 With one reason in mind, the main reason being the fact that we do not want a 00:32:35.530 --> 00:32:40.031 fragmentation of the market. All our kids across the Union deserve equal 00:32:40.113 --> 00:32:43.380 protections. This is why we have proposed the Kids Act, and we'll take it from 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:46.520 there. So not prejudging today what we may announce tomorrow. 00:32:48.980 --> 00:32:54.440 Good. And we have yes, still a question in the room for Thomas. 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:59.763 Hello, Charles Cohen from Rapporteur. I just want to follow up on the safe loans. 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:06.032 So you've mentioned that the Hungarian case now sets in stone the amount of 00:33:06.112 --> 00:33:09.989 leftovers to around 21 billion, a bit less than 21 billion euros. 00:33:10.040 --> 00:33:14.960 So can you give us an update on the next steps with the leftovers and the second 00:33:15.032 --> 00:33:18.952 call for countries to apply for these leftovers? 00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:23.075 Thank you. By the deadline of December. Thanks, indeed. 00:33:23.120 --> 00:33:25.064 We have to do it this year, absolutely right, Charles. 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:27.093 So the current situation is the following. 00:33:27.140 --> 00:33:31.457 Now that we have approved all the safe plans, at least from our side, we have now 00:33:31.520 --> 00:33:35.617 the official amount of leftovers. What will happen next is that the Commission, like 00:33:35.667 --> 00:33:39.747 it was for the initial call when a safe was officially presented, the Commission 00:33:39.800 --> 00:33:43.794 will then at some point reach out to member states to present the total amount of 00:33:43.851 --> 00:33:49.110 leftovers, which I just did here, based on that member states can then express their 00:33:49.157 --> 00:33:53.906 interest to take additional loans and then we would definitely have to reassess 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:57.920 potential plans coming from the member states who wish to take additional ones. 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:03.500 Yes. Another question for Thomas. 00:34:04.040 --> 00:34:07.933 Hi, thanks. Jack from the Irish Times. Just very quickly on that. 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:13.133 Of the leftovers, is it only countries that initially participated in safe that can 00:34:13.199 --> 00:34:17.773 apply, or did a country that did not participate initially potentially apply for the 00:34:17.825 --> 00:34:19.160 sum of the 20 billion? Thank you. 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:23.900 It would. Be an open call. All member states. 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:30.860 Good. That clarifies. And I have Thomas online. 00:34:35.240 --> 00:34:37.956 Yes, good afternoon, Thomas Galladotti, ADN Chronos Italy. 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:43.705 It's just a question on Italy, if I may. Because I have read on the Corriere della 00:34:43.808 --> 00:34:51.465 Sera that the European Commission might reply to the Italian government as far as 00:34:51.532 --> 00:34:58.549 flexibility is concerned, in particular they say that the Italian government asked 00:34:58.640 --> 00:35:07.890 for. The some projects which are already financed by under next generation EU to be 00:35:07.964 --> 00:35:14.720 covered by the national escape clause thus freeing up a. 00:35:15.080 --> 00:35:20.660 Good amount of resources. May you please confirm that you're going to reply soon to 00:35:20.743 --> 00:35:31.305 the Italian government and is the what they say about the transfer of the project 00:35:31.400 --> 00:35:32.840 correct? Many thanks. 00:35:33.860 --> 00:35:37.777 Yes. Thomas, you're right to ask the question to Thomas because he's stepping in 00:35:37.833 --> 00:35:43.952 also for Ballazh today. So it's in between for. 00:35:44.060 --> 00:35:45.260 Portfolios. Go ahead. 00:35:45.560 --> 00:35:49.688 Thanks, Paula. And indeed, Thomas, let me just recall that one important and 00:35:49.729 --> 00:35:51.457 essential step is missing in this process. 00:35:51.500 --> 00:35:55.643 So let me first recall that the Commission has already assessed Italy's national 00:35:55.700 --> 00:35:58.839 escape clause and the activation request, which is now with the Council. 00:35:58.880 --> 00:36:03.015 So let's take it from there. I can definitely say from our point of view that we are 00:36:03.056 --> 00:36:06.334 in constructive dialogue with the Italian authorities, of course, and we're 00:36:06.380 --> 00:36:07.820 constantly engaging on this matter. 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:15.839 Okay. Good. Just making sure no further questions for Thomas, who has said today is 00:36:15.938 --> 00:36:22.208 covering also for four. Ballazh and Olaf. Yes? 00:36:22.400 --> 00:36:24.980 Jack? Is it still for Thomas? 00:36:25.340 --> 00:36:26.540 Here for Anwar. 00:36:26.840 --> 00:36:30.620 For Anwar. And we have no nothing left for Thomas. 00:36:32.600 --> 00:36:37.523 At. Thanks. It's just a question in response to the Israeli elections. 00:36:37.580 --> 00:36:42.777 Obviously, there was a hesitancy to do anything on sanctions when it came to the 00:36:42.835 --> 00:36:46.048 occupied territories in the middle of an election campaign. 00:36:46.100 --> 00:36:50.600 But I just wanted to get the Commission's view now that the election is over. 00:36:50.660 --> 00:36:56.849 Will any decision when it comes to a trade ban, which occupied settlements, depend 00:36:57.050 --> 00:37:03.163 on the flavor and behavior of the next government, or will it be separate to 00:37:03.260 --> 00:37:04.520 coalition talks? Thank you. 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:11.540 Thank you, Jack. So Anwar, on the elections in Israel. 00:37:11.780 --> 00:37:17.358 Indeed. Thank you. The European Union congratulates the Israeli people on 00:37:17.432 --> 00:37:24.380 yesterday's elections, which show a high voter turnout reflecting Israel's vibrant 00:37:24.470 --> 00:37:29.712 democracy. There now begins a period of political negotiations to form the next 00:37:29.786 --> 00:37:35.660 Israeli government. The European Union looks forward to engaging with the next 00:37:35.743 --> 00:37:40.392 government, and this on the basis of our long-standing relationship and commitment 00:37:40.468 --> 00:37:46.154 to democratic principles and common values, as well as to further advancing 00:37:46.218 --> 00:37:52.220 people-to-people contacts. In terms of our approach, our approach will continue to 00:37:52.280 --> 00:37:59.441 be based on both a frank and open dialogue, in view of advancing our bilateral 00:37:59.512 --> 00:38:05.301 cooperation, addressing all issues of concern, and working together to promote 00:38:05.356 --> 00:38:09.860 regional stability, security, and a just and lasting peace. 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:19.460 And Moz, I think you wanted to come in also on the topic of elections in Israel. 00:38:19.520 --> 00:38:24.368 Maybe it has been answered by Anwar just now. 00:38:24.680 --> 00:38:25.880 Moz? 00:38:29.660 --> 00:38:38.389 Yes. Hello. Thank you very much. I have a similar question. 00:38:38.540 --> 00:38:44.300 Elections yesterday. Because we know already now, if you hear me, that. 00:38:44.540 --> 00:38:47.600 We hear you with some echo, Moz. Not. 00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.200 No. 00:38:48.200 --> 00:38:49.400 Very clearly. 00:38:49.400 --> 00:38:54.680 No. According to the ongoing count of the votes, more than 80 percent of the votes 00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:59.593 already been counted, I understand, shows that there is a clear victory for the 00:38:59.640 --> 00:39:07.072 opposition, including the Arab party. Which will gain together perhaps 64 more seats 00:39:07.153 --> 00:39:14.060 in the Knesset against Netanyahu's far-right government's 54 seats. 00:39:14.240 --> 00:39:19.307 But as you said, I mean, it's currently a deadlock. 00:39:19.400 --> 00:39:23.769 And we will not we don't know what outcome of the negotiation for forming a new 00:39:23.821 --> 00:39:30.960 government, how that will go. But I would like to ask a. 00:39:31.220 --> 00:39:38.751 If, I mean, here would welcome a change of government in order to, let's say, 00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:44.188 restore the bilateral relations between Israel and the EU. 00:39:44.360 --> 00:39:49.570 And if, for example, the sanctions, that was the previous question, I think these 00:39:49.616 --> 00:39:54.258 are still on the table. If the question whether they will be lifted or imposed 00:39:54.324 --> 00:40:02.275 again, if that will depend on the outcome of the forming of a new government of 00:40:02.338 --> 00:40:05.638 change. And removing Netanyahu from power. 00:40:05.720 --> 00:40:06.920 Thank you. 00:40:07.700 --> 00:40:11.405 Thanks. Thanks, Moz. I think you answered yourself, the first part of your question, 00:40:11.463 --> 00:40:15.838 saying that we don't know the next steps and how things will look like as we said 00:40:15.914 --> 00:40:20.897 indeed. There now begins a period of political negotiations to form the next Israeli 00:40:20.960 --> 00:40:25.520 government. And I would not hear comment from this stage in terms of what might 00:40:25.580 --> 00:40:29.124 happen or not happen. This is not for me to comment on. 00:40:29.180 --> 00:40:34.226 But what is for me to comment on is to say, loud and clear, that the EU looks 00:40:34.272 --> 00:40:36.568 forward to engaging with the next government. 00:40:36.620 --> 00:40:40.874 And this on the basis of our long-standing relationship and commitment to democratic 00:40:40.930 --> 00:40:47.613 principles and common values. And we will keep doing so, basing ourselves on a frank 00:40:47.683 --> 00:40:52.011 and open dialogue in view of advancing our bilateral cooperation, addressing all 00:40:52.058 --> 00:40:56.600 issues of concern, and working together to promote regional stability, security, and 00:40:56.660 --> 00:40:58.400 a just and lasting peace. 00:41:00.440 --> 00:41:08.370 Thank. You, Anwar. That's. All that we can say at this stage, indeed, on this topic. 00:41:08.540 --> 00:41:14.096 Other questions on foreign affairs to Anwar? 00:41:14.480 --> 00:41:20.006 Not to Anwar? Thank you. I know that there was still a question on foreign affairs, 00:41:20.060 --> 00:41:25.945 which was not asked earlier. So just to remain on the topic and ask Christian, 00:41:25.992 --> 00:41:33.992 because we have a question from. Angelina. 00:41:34.340 --> 00:41:51.888 Online. From Bulgaria. Angelina? No. Angelina is not connecting. 00:41:52.040 --> 00:42:05.468 Three. Two. One. No. Okay. Angelina, we can come back to you after the midday if 00:42:05.624 --> 00:42:09.743 necessary. Stefan, would this be for Christian again? 00:42:09.800 --> 00:42:16.480 No. Okay. Christian? No, because it's round two for Christian. 00:42:16.580 --> 00:42:18.200 So we changed topic. Stefan. 00:42:21.320 --> 00:42:27.000 Yes. On Serbia's elections, I wanted to ask whether you tend to have intention to 00:42:27.170 --> 00:42:33.148 assist a smooth transition in the students' lists in taking over the government. 00:42:33.200 --> 00:42:38.612 And whether this newest development in Serbia might have an impact on the 00:42:38.660 --> 00:42:42.982 enlargement report for Serbia, whether it might be maybe delayed. 00:42:43.040 --> 00:42:48.774 I think it's planned for next week. And maybe finally, more historical question, 00:42:48.825 --> 00:42:54.219 whether you regret that you stick to President Vučić as your preferred interlocutor 00:42:54.293 --> 00:42:58.264 as he is accusing you to be behind the victory of the opposition. 00:42:58.340 --> 00:42:59.540 Thank you. 00:43:01.640 --> 00:43:05.576 Thank you for the questions. First, on the elections. 00:43:05.660 --> 00:43:10.101 So we take note of the preliminary results of the parliamentary elections in Serbia. 00:43:10.160 --> 00:43:13.160 And we congratulate the student list on its victory. 00:43:13.280 --> 00:43:18.203 As President Vladimir said, over the weekend, people of Serbia turned out in record 00:43:18.260 --> 00:43:23.203 numbers to shape the country's future. Serbia belongs to the European family, and 00:43:23.246 --> 00:43:28.466 the Commission welcomes the ambition for democracy, the rule of law from the winning 00:43:28.534 --> 00:43:33.657 list. This provides now an opportunity for Serbia to advance on its EU accession 00:43:33.740 --> 00:43:38.843 path. The Commission stands ready to work closely with the future government and 00:43:38.900 --> 00:43:44.120 support reforms under rule of law, media freedom, the fights against corruption, and 00:43:44.180 --> 00:43:49.884 strong democratic institutions. So the EU remains fully committed to advancing 00:43:49.954 --> 00:43:52.280 Serbia's future in the EU. 00:43:57.080 --> 00:44:03.114 And. Sorry. Yes. And you mentioned briefly Guillaume, President von der Leyen, also 00:44:03.172 --> 00:44:08.591 congratulating the student list on its victory over the weekend. 00:44:08.780 --> 00:44:14.786 And obviously, we will work with the new government, as we do with any freely 00:44:14.919 --> 00:44:21.899 elected government. It's in our interest to advance the discussions to the advance 00:44:21.990 --> 00:44:27.843 reforms on the rule of law, the media freedom, the fight against corruption, with 00:44:27.954 --> 00:44:30.320 the Serbian authorities. Yes, Stefan. 00:44:32.000 --> 00:44:34.184 Yeah. I'm sure that you will work with the future government. 00:44:34.220 --> 00:44:38.733 But my question was more on the transition, because that's quite a delicate part 00:44:38.831 --> 00:44:43.934 now. As the actual government will try to sabotage the transition, maybe. 00:44:44.000 --> 00:44:48.332 So what do you see a role in this transition for the Commission or for its 00:44:48.380 --> 00:44:53.242 representatives there? And my question was also in referring to the progress report. 00:44:53.300 --> 00:44:57.983 Will it be delayed, or will the election result have an impact on the substance? 00:44:58.040 --> 00:44:59.240 Thank you. 00:45:01.220 --> 00:45:07.852 Look, when it comes to the transition, it is for the national authorities, for the 00:45:07.977 --> 00:45:14.535 here the student list to organize themselves to form a government, a parliament, and 00:45:14.609 --> 00:45:17.953 others. The Commission stands ready to support the work on the reforms. 00:45:18.020 --> 00:45:24.224 As I said, so it's very important to mention that Commissioner Kos already had a 00:45:24.277 --> 00:45:27.721 first contact with the leader of the student list. 00:45:27.800 --> 00:45:33.490 And she did discuss EU accession, the reforms, and others. 00:45:33.560 --> 00:45:38.780 And again, she said that we stand ready to support this work in the future moving 00:45:38.840 --> 00:45:44.485 forward. When it comes to the enlargement package, work is still ongoing. 00:45:44.540 --> 00:45:51.200 The indicative timing, again, indicative timing is to have it adopted next week. 00:45:51.380 --> 00:45:53.180 So that's all I can say at this stage. 00:45:55.760 --> 00:45:58.160 Other questions for Guillaume, please. 00:46:01.460 --> 00:46:04.626 Adrian Bakic, Slovenian public broadcaster. 00:46:04.700 --> 00:46:09.558 Following the elections in Serbia and also encouraging messages from the European 00:46:09.611 --> 00:46:13.908 Commission saying it can be a new start for the European path of Serbia, the 00:46:13.960 --> 00:46:18.474 Slovenian Prime Minister wrote on his social media that Slovenia would not give its 00:46:18.547 --> 00:46:24.534 consent to any progress in Serbia's EU accession negotiations until Serbia handed 00:46:24.583 --> 00:46:28.406 over to Slovenia all the archives from the former Yugoslav Secret Services 00:46:28.460 --> 00:46:31.344 concerning Slovenia. How do you comment on that? 00:46:31.400 --> 00:46:36.260 And do you see such demands legitimate, especially connecting them to the 00:46:36.320 --> 00:46:37.940 enlargement process? Thank you. 00:46:39.140 --> 00:46:43.828 Thank you. The enlargement process is a merit-based process. 00:46:43.880 --> 00:46:50.107 And we assess the progress across all the EU policies and fundamentals, including 00:46:50.165 --> 00:46:56.293 the rule of law and democratic criteria. Bilateral issues are not part of accession 00:46:56.385 --> 00:47:01.107 negotiations. As we stressed many times, good neighborly relations and good 00:47:01.164 --> 00:47:07.153 relations with member states are an essential element of the enlargement process. 00:47:07.220 --> 00:47:11.662 And parties concerned should always address these issues in a very constructive 00:47:11.720 --> 00:47:12.920 spirit. 00:47:14.900 --> 00:47:19.687 Good. Let me see who hasn't had the occasion yet to ask a question. 00:47:19.760 --> 00:47:21.500 Go ahead. You had it. 00:47:23.480 --> 00:47:28.817 Thank you, Vince Chadwick from Rapporte. Question for Guillaume about fraud and 00:47:28.890 --> 00:47:35.848 foreign aid. So in November 2024, the Commission received a provisional audit on the 00:47:35.939 --> 00:47:40.370 organization of African Caribbean Pacific states. 00:47:40.460 --> 00:47:46.235 Finding many things, notably hundreds of thousands of euros that had gone to phantom 00:47:46.314 --> 00:47:50.243 school fees claimed by employees where there was no evidence that they had any 00:47:50.305 --> 00:47:54.629 children or that they were at the British school in Brussels. 00:47:54.740 --> 00:48:00.278 The Commission froze funding and then that was two years ago. 00:48:00.320 --> 00:48:04.657 So I guess my question is, you were in February 2025, you said you were looking into 00:48:04.700 --> 00:48:08.866 it. We're now in October 2026. So I guess the question is, what have you found? 00:48:08.900 --> 00:48:11.307 What have you done? Has anyone been held responsible? 00:48:11.360 --> 00:48:13.460 Are you still funding this organization? Thank you. 00:48:15.020 --> 00:48:19.810 Thank you for the question. So happy to provide an update on the situation. 00:48:19.880 --> 00:48:24.851 So the European Commission has launched a series of audit to review the proper use 00:48:24.929 --> 00:48:30.768 of EU funds provided to the OACPS secretariat. 00:48:30.860 --> 00:48:36.932 So these audits have been finalized. And they have identified issues such as missing 00:48:37.012 --> 00:48:44.327 documents or ineligible expenditures. So this led also to a contradictory procedures 00:48:44.443 --> 00:48:51.449 and we another re-evaluation of the ineligible expenditures. 00:48:51.560 --> 00:48:55.114 In parallel, now the Court of Auditors, European Court of Auditors, has also 00:48:55.170 --> 00:48:59.840 launched an audit and these findings are also being into account, being taken into 00:48:59.900 --> 00:49:04.240 account when it comes to the closure of contracts between the EU and the 00:49:04.329 --> 00:49:09.382 secretariat. So at this stage, and until this work is fully finalized, the EU has 00:49:09.465 --> 00:49:13.506 not resumed its financial support to the secretariat. 00:49:13.580 --> 00:49:19.267 It's a very important also we want to mention we wish to recognize as well that the 00:49:19.329 --> 00:49:24.800 measures taken by the new leadership of the OACPS secretariat to resolve the 00:49:24.865 --> 00:49:29.514 outstanding issues identified by the audits that I just mentioned, the independent 00:49:29.558 --> 00:49:33.989 audits, and more generally by reinforcing the secretariat administrative and 00:49:34.069 --> 00:49:37.100 financial capacities. That's the update I can provide. 00:49:38.420 --> 00:49:43.974 Good. Okay. And we have time for one final question today. 00:49:44.120 --> 00:49:47.900 Yes, please. Also for Guillaume. 00:49:49.220 --> 00:49:53.967 Oh, Barbara Maxová, Czech Television. I have a question connected to the situation 00:49:54.020 --> 00:50:01.723 in the Czech Republic. Because the last week, Czech Parliament advanced the bill to 00:50:01.790 --> 00:50:09.208 its second reading. And this bill would abolish license fees for public service 00:50:09.312 --> 00:50:16.950 media. And would found Czech Radio and Czech Television directly from the state 00:50:17.063 --> 00:50:22.705 budget. Moreover, this proposal has rise serious concerns about the independence of 00:50:22.798 --> 00:50:25.601 public media service in the Czech Republic. 00:50:25.640 --> 00:50:31.568 So my question is, what does the European Commission think about these developments? 00:50:31.640 --> 00:50:37.888 And are these Czech government plans in line with the European media freedom act? 00:50:37.940 --> 00:50:39.080 Thank you very much. 00:50:39.080 --> 00:50:41.060 Thank you. Yes. Thank you. 00:50:41.900 --> 00:50:44.420 Go ahead, Guillaume, stepping in for Marcus also today. 00:50:45.860 --> 00:50:49.818 So what I can say is that we are indeed aware of the Czech Parliament's chamber of 00:50:49.885 --> 00:50:53.738 deputies who approved the bill at first reading on Saturday. 00:50:53.840 --> 00:50:57.500 And now we're continuing to follow closely the developments in the process. 00:50:59.480 --> 00:51:04.244 Good. And this brings us to a close of our midday today. 00:51:04.324 --> 00:51:09.077 Wish you very good afternoon. Thank you to our interpreters. 00:51:09.156 --> 00:51:10.820 And see you tomorrow.