1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,000 Brussels Live Transcribed and translated by AI 2 00:00:02,657 --> 00:00:07,765 Good afternoon and welcome to our midday briefing before taking your questions. 3 00:00:07,817 --> 00:00:15,137 We have a couple of announcements. For you and to start with, I would like to ask 4 00:00:15,237 --> 00:00:23,265 Tomás to join me. For some safe-related announcements. 5 00:00:23,357 --> 00:00:24,377 Tomás. 6 00:00:24,377 --> 00:00:28,653 Thank you, Paula. Good afternoon. So today the Commission invites all member states 7 00:00:28,746 --> 00:00:33,947 to use the remaining 21.3 billion euro leftovers under SAFE. 8 00:00:34,097 --> 00:00:39,197 This will further support our member states to address urgent defense needs and we 9 00:00:39,257 --> 00:00:44,410 encourage them to use these remaining funds in ways that can help meet Ukraine's 10 00:00:44,522 --> 00:00:48,463 urgent needs. Some figures about SAFE's success so far: 11 00:00:48,529 --> 00:00:54,451 19 member states have requested more than 130 billion euro so far. 12 00:00:54,557 --> 00:00:57,386 All national plans have been approved by the Commission. 13 00:00:57,437 --> 00:01:04,124 We have already signed 16 loan agreements out of these 19 plans and 11 member states 14 00:01:04,178 --> 00:01:09,197 have already received pre-financing worth more than 13 billion euro. 15 00:01:09,257 --> 00:01:11,177 And you will find more information in the daily news. 16 00:01:12,857 --> 00:01:20,015 Thank you very much, Tomás. We know this was a much-awaited development. 17 00:01:20,177 --> 00:01:26,374 And let me then recall regarding President von der Leyen's agenda, that the 18 00:01:26,458 --> 00:01:34,252 President, as you know, is in Canada today and tomorrow for the summit with Canada. 19 00:01:34,337 --> 00:01:38,097 And she will deliver a speech at around 3:00 p. 20 00:01:38,177 --> 00:01:45,737 m. Brussels time, on EU-Canada relations. From Montréal, and you can follow it in 21 00:01:45,977 --> 00:01:53,762 EBS. And now to conclude our announcements, let me wish a very warm welcome to our 22 00:01:53,860 --> 00:02:02,382 group of visitors. And I understand you are a group of 20 journalists from Finland 23 00:02:02,509 --> 00:02:08,112 and 18 young leaders. I hope you enjoy your time with us. 24 00:02:08,177 --> 00:02:11,452 It's great to have you here in the press room. 25 00:02:11,537 --> 00:02:17,355 And have a wonderful time. Now, that's it for our announcements. 26 00:02:17,417 --> 00:02:20,777 And we can take your questions. Luke, please. 27 00:02:24,377 --> 00:02:28,427 Thank you, Paula. A question about the EU-Canada summit. 28 00:02:28,577 --> 00:02:34,971 As anyone knows by now, the term Associate Membership has been removed from the 29 00:02:35,035 --> 00:02:38,702 Joint Declaration that should be adopted tomorrow. 30 00:02:38,777 --> 00:02:45,450 Nevertheless, the Commission President has tweeted when landing in Montréal 31 00:02:45,677 --> 00:02:53,164 including the term Associate Membership. So can you clarify for us if this Associate 32 00:02:53,297 --> 00:02:55,877 Membership is still on the table for Canada? 33 00:02:55,937 --> 00:02:56,837 Thank you. 34 00:02:56,837 --> 00:03:04,207 Yes. Let me clarify. With pleasure. The Associate Membership of Canada is, as you 35 00:03:04,296 --> 00:03:10,953 know, the ambitious idea that President von der Leyen had put forward in her speech, 36 00:03:11,057 --> 00:03:17,819 her State of the Union speech in September, in the presence of Prime Minister 37 00:03:17,950 --> 00:03:28,014 McCartney. Mark Carney. And this week's summit is the first meaningful opportunity 38 00:03:28,097 --> 00:03:35,821 to develop this concept and the alliance for the future with our partners. 39 00:03:35,957 --> 00:03:43,817 It's also important to recall at this instance that the EU and Canada are partners 40 00:03:43,917 --> 00:03:52,104 of choice. And at the time of rising global uncertainty, both sides are seeking to 41 00:03:52,201 --> 00:03:58,988 come closer together, to strengthen prosperity, resilience, security, and 42 00:03:59,106 --> 00:04:04,369 sovereignty with this mutually beneficial partnership. 43 00:04:04,457 --> 00:04:12,517 And high on the summit agenda will be bringing Canada closer to us than ever before, 44 00:04:12,614 --> 00:04:21,511 as Associate Member of the EU. This is precisely an ever closer association of 45 00:04:21,617 --> 00:04:28,150 Canada to the European Union, short of full membership itself. 46 00:04:28,277 --> 00:04:34,690 And following the discussions at the summit this week, we will continue to work with 47 00:04:34,775 --> 00:04:42,015 the European Parliament, with member states, and our Canadian friends and 48 00:04:42,097 --> 00:04:48,147 counterparts to achieve these common objectives. 49 00:04:48,317 --> 00:04:49,817 Yes, Luke. A follow-up. 50 00:04:51,797 --> 00:04:56,547 Yes. Thank you. From what I understand from your reply, the Commission is pressing 51 00:04:56,596 --> 00:05:03,110 ahead with this concept of Associated Membership, which is nowhere in the EU 52 00:05:03,197 --> 00:05:10,426 treaties and which EU member states must not only Germany have made very clear they 53 00:05:10,508 --> 00:05:17,141 don't want to pursue. So how can the Commission keep on pressing on this without 54 00:05:17,187 --> 00:05:19,037 having a mandate from the member states? 55 00:05:20,477 --> 00:05:26,835 As said earlier, we are fully on board with our member states on the approach, on 56 00:05:26,897 --> 00:05:36,811 the objective, on the ambition of pursuing an ever closer association with Canada. 57 00:05:36,917 --> 00:05:46,083 Fully agreed there. And we continue to work intensely with our member states on the 58 00:05:46,221 --> 00:05:57,857 basis for Associate Membership. As it is also foreseen in the summit text. 59 00:05:58,217 --> 00:06:04,822 It would have been much better to have unity from member states on the initial 60 00:06:04,877 --> 00:06:08,852 wording, but we have a strong basis that is agreed. 61 00:06:08,957 --> 00:06:15,915 And we are, as I said, fleshing out the details but most importantly we have a 62 00:06:15,974 --> 00:06:20,897 common approach in terms of what is the objective that we want to pursue. 63 00:06:22,877 --> 00:06:24,077 Jorge. 64 00:06:26,777 --> 00:06:31,456 Hello, Paula. Following up on Luka's question, how do you respond to the criticism 65 00:06:31,510 --> 00:06:36,507 that you copy-pasted the name from the non-paper that the German Chancellor put 66 00:06:36,571 --> 00:06:41,224 earlier this year of Associate Membership but in this case for Ukraine? 67 00:06:41,297 --> 00:06:42,497 Thank you. 68 00:06:42,917 --> 00:06:50,014 I think that what I replied earlier is also the reply to you, Jorge. 69 00:06:50,117 --> 00:06:55,665 As said, we fully agree with the member states that we want to pursue an ever closer 70 00:06:55,732 --> 00:07:01,795 association of Canada to the European Union, short of a full membership itself, 71 00:07:01,852 --> 00:07:09,182 which is precisely one of the characteristics of Canada, not being a European. 72 00:07:09,257 --> 00:07:14,728 Country, cannot pursue membership. So this is as close as we can come in a 73 00:07:14,816 --> 00:07:21,884 relationship with a country which is not in the in Europe. 74 00:07:22,097 --> 00:07:23,297 Yes, Gerardo. 75 00:07:25,397 --> 00:07:31,164 Thanks, Paula. Gerardo from Politico. In the wording that has been picked up 76 00:07:31,218 --> 00:07:36,313 yesterday by member states and that you repeated and that I guess the Commission 77 00:07:36,377 --> 00:07:41,491 interpret as an. Endorsement of the concept of Associate Membership. 78 00:07:41,537 --> 00:07:46,860 At the same time, the original wording was Associate Membership and we move toward 79 00:07:46,932 --> 00:07:54,168 something different. And then it might be considered as a signal from member states 80 00:07:54,230 --> 00:08:00,775 that they don't want that branding because, as you said, there's a common goals, 81 00:08:00,822 --> 00:08:06,567 there's an agreement of common goals of this what is ever closer association would 82 00:08:06,617 --> 00:08:11,548 mean. It's mostly about the branding. And then the first thing that the President 83 00:08:11,597 --> 00:08:16,037 does once landing in Montreal is using Associate Membership. 84 00:08:16,097 --> 00:08:24,639 So is it some sort of snubbing toward what the member states told the Commission 85 00:08:24,725 --> 00:08:26,357 just one day earlier? 86 00:08:27,317 --> 00:08:29,980 I said we're working very closely with the member states. 87 00:08:30,017 --> 00:08:36,117 And as I said, an Associate Member of the EU is precisely an ever closer association 88 00:08:36,197 --> 00:08:42,385 of Canada to the European Union, short of full membership itself. 89 00:08:42,557 --> 00:08:48,238 And the discussions will continue. And I won't go further into it because, of 90 00:08:48,284 --> 00:08:55,923 course, the summit is coming. Today, tomorrow, and as said, you will be able to hear 91 00:08:55,997 --> 00:09:02,980 more about it during the summit. Other questions on different topics? 92 00:09:03,077 --> 00:09:04,277 Razia. 93 00:09:06,317 --> 00:09:12,317 Thank you. Razia Akoch, AFP News Agency. Tomas had told us that we would get a 94 00:09:12,377 --> 00:09:17,919 response as in we would find out the Commission's opinion on Austria's social media 95 00:09:18,055 --> 00:09:23,816 law. So I wanted to know has the European Commission told Austria it cannot ban 96 00:09:23,879 --> 00:09:28,226 social media for children until the EU-wide law enters into force? 97 00:09:28,337 --> 00:09:32,448 And I just want to know if that's the case does this then mean that you're going to 98 00:09:32,485 --> 00:09:37,123 stop other countries in their tracks because they notified the Commission of their 99 00:09:37,268 --> 00:09:42,209 laws after or there's a timing issue I'm not quite sure of but those that did it 100 00:09:42,257 --> 00:09:44,417 earlier are okay say Greece. Thank you. 101 00:09:47,297 --> 00:09:50,481 Thanks, Razia. So let's start with the Kids Act. 102 00:09:50,537 --> 00:09:55,920 So we have a very clear proposal that we have put on the table whereby we're 103 00:09:55,997 --> 00:10:02,413 introducing a gradual approach and safety by design obligations for all online 104 00:10:02,523 --> 00:10:07,887 services. Now our proposal harmonizes the rules to make sure that all children 105 00:10:07,931 --> 00:10:11,693 across the EU receive equal levels of protection. 106 00:10:11,777 --> 00:10:17,541 Because a European problem requires a united European response. 107 00:10:17,657 --> 00:10:21,967 This is why I can confirm today that the Commission has decided to postpone for 12 108 00:10:22,037 --> 00:10:29,139 months any draft national laws overlapping with the future harmonized rules why is 109 00:10:29,201 --> 00:10:34,194 this important this is absolutely crucial to avoid a fragmentation of our internal 110 00:10:34,249 --> 00:10:38,997 market to preserve the work of our co-legislators we need to now focus on the 111 00:10:39,058 --> 00:10:45,214 negotiations of the EU Kids Act and to ensure an effective enforcement of our rules. 112 00:10:45,257 --> 00:10:47,297 So this is our position on this matter. 113 00:10:49,037 --> 00:10:50,237 Razia, a follow-up. 114 00:10:51,977 --> 00:10:56,897 Can you clarify for us which other countries' laws the European Commission is due to 115 00:10:56,957 --> 00:11:02,448 give opinions on and if I'm right in understanding that if you're still due to give 116 00:11:02,511 --> 00:11:06,888 opinions that those laws also have this postponement that you speak of and I 117 00:11:06,937 --> 00:11:11,703 specifically want to touch upon France because France had been told that it needed 118 00:11:11,751 --> 00:11:16,832 to amend its law so are you going to tell France that it also can't ban social media 119 00:11:16,878 --> 00:11:21,750 for children despite the fact that France has been leading on this subject and I 120 00:11:21,873 --> 00:11:27,762 just want to ask do you not worry that you're essentially saying Austrian children 121 00:11:27,836 --> 00:11:32,302 maybe Portuguese children if I'm naming the right countries that it's fine it 122 00:11:32,359 --> 00:11:37,881 doesn't matter for 12 months they don't they can go on social media as they wish you 123 00:11:37,943 --> 00:11:42,449 not suggesting that it doesn't matter kind of contradicting your own positions from 124 00:11:42,497 --> 00:11:43,697 before thank you. 125 00:11:45,197 --> 00:11:51,997 All children in the EU deserve the same level of safety online we absolutely do not 126 00:11:52,067 --> 00:11:57,255 question that quite on the contrary that's what is our aim and our aim is precisely 127 00:11:57,317 --> 00:12:04,940 to have a harmonized approach which applies across the EU without any distinction 128 00:12:05,027 --> 00:12:06,737 anything to add Tomas? 129 00:12:06,917 --> 00:12:11,153 Yes. On the latter this is precisely why we have always said from this podium and 130 00:12:11,209 --> 00:12:16,268 during press conferences at political level that our Kids Act proposal will in any 131 00:12:16,327 --> 00:12:20,369 case go hand in hand with strong DSA enforcement where we're making sure that 132 00:12:20,417 --> 00:12:23,748 platforms and they're the ones who are harming our kids play the role and we will 133 00:12:23,791 --> 00:12:28,447 hold them accountable to make sure that in the meantime all kids are of course 134 00:12:28,548 --> 00:12:34,557 protected. That's one point. On the other point I will not go into detail of which 135 00:12:34,607 --> 00:12:40,025 national law is at which stage indeed you have other national laws that have been 136 00:12:40,076 --> 00:12:44,865 notified to the European Commission work is ongoing on these but this will not 137 00:12:44,916 --> 00:12:50,048 change our baseline position which is we will not fragment our internal market. 138 00:12:50,117 --> 00:12:55,277 If you do that you have different ages different laws in different member states 139 00:12:55,337 --> 00:13:00,377 this becomes almost impossible to enforce platforms will not be able to comply with 140 00:13:00,434 --> 00:13:04,757 such a fragmented market and in the end we will all end up with no level of 141 00:13:04,821 --> 00:13:09,219 protection and this is precisely why we come up with a harmonized proposal to 142 00:13:09,278 --> 00:13:12,246 protect all kids as Paula has just recalled. 143 00:13:12,317 --> 00:13:17,320 Now on the French law because you refer to that one and you refer to the Greek ones 144 00:13:17,377 --> 00:13:21,016 there are some slight nuances again I will not go into details but there are some 145 00:13:21,054 --> 00:13:27,590 slight nuances and these are legal judicial nuances these laws have been notified to 146 00:13:27,657 --> 00:13:33,529 us and the standstill period elapsed before our Kids Act proposal was made and here 147 00:13:33,587 --> 00:13:38,445 there is a slight difference with the Austrian law and the subsequent notifications 148 00:13:38,501 --> 00:13:39,701 from other member states. 149 00:13:42,317 --> 00:13:43,997 Razia, final follow-up. 150 00:13:45,017 --> 00:13:51,550 I just want to clarify though assuming. Everything goes fast there's a six-month 151 00:13:51,617 --> 00:13:57,164 enforcement whatever the ban at the European level won't be until 2028 tell me if 152 00:13:57,220 --> 00:14:01,988 I'm wrong on my timeline and I I just want to really insist upon the fact that you 153 00:14:02,040 --> 00:14:06,166 can't just say you won't give the details it's kind of unfair you're expecting me to 154 00:14:06,208 --> 00:14:10,885 write an article saying the EU says they have to postpone to Austria and then I have 155 00:14:10,940 --> 00:14:15,415 to say to my readers who include European countries oh by the way there are some 156 00:14:15,459 --> 00:14:20,240 other countries but like I don't the European Commission refuses to tell me thank 157 00:14:20,297 --> 00:14:21,497 you. 158 00:14:22,997 --> 00:14:31,886 So on the last part of your questions you have Slovenia Italy Belgium France you 159 00:14:31,997 --> 00:14:35,877 have other member states that have of course notified to us this is publicly 160 00:14:35,917 --> 00:14:41,987 available I'm very happy to send you the link after midday when it comes to the 161 00:14:42,077 --> 00:14:47,726 first question I mean again we cannot afford a fragmentation of our internal market 162 00:14:47,768 --> 00:14:53,284 this will not work now in terms of the timeline we of course urge our co-legislators 163 00:14:53,357 --> 00:14:58,080 and we look forward to working with all these member states who have done of course 164 00:14:58,157 --> 00:15:02,029 solid work and who have taken initiatives to protect their kids in the online world 165 00:15:02,080 --> 00:15:07,033 we look forward precisely to working with them to find a harmonized solutions with 166 00:15:07,097 --> 00:15:12,690 our co-legislators this is precisely why this postponement is crucial to preserve 167 00:15:12,745 --> 00:15:16,901 the work that is now crucial we need to speed up the work with the co-legislators 168 00:15:16,949 --> 00:15:21,793 because the top priority is to pass the Kids Act on which our member states can now 169 00:15:21,857 --> 00:15:23,057 agree. 170 00:15:24,017 --> 00:15:28,946 Thank you. Tomas other questions to Tomas. 171 00:15:29,057 --> 00:15:37,194 No I see some online. For instance Verena. 172 00:15:37,337 --> 00:15:38,537 Verena Mayer. 173 00:15:41,957 --> 00:15:44,597 Hi. Can you hear me? Yeah I can hear myself. 174 00:15:44,657 --> 00:15:51,217 Thank you. I had to follow up actually for Tomas on the social media law of Austria 175 00:15:51,297 --> 00:15:56,580 did the Commission now not form a legal assessment of the Austrian law at all or 176 00:15:56,653 --> 00:16:02,956 just tell Austria to postpone it and a clarification Austria notified in July if I'm 177 00:16:03,011 --> 00:16:07,817 not wrong so that was too late because the Kids Act was proposed in September. 178 00:16:13,577 --> 00:16:19,418 Yes. Absolutely I can confirm that the notification was in July this is why in the 179 00:16:19,477 --> 00:16:25,157 legal detail is really that what matters is when the standstill period elapses and 180 00:16:25,217 --> 00:16:29,839 when the standstill period is over and we give an opinion to our member state and 181 00:16:29,926 --> 00:16:35,221 this happens after our Kids Act proposal which is the case here for the Austrian 182 00:16:35,318 --> 00:16:39,457 draft law we come to the conclusion that indeed let's not fragment the market let's 183 00:16:39,497 --> 00:16:43,323 postpone this for 12 months and give our co-legislators the time to find an 184 00:16:43,380 --> 00:16:48,785 agreement. Now on our discussions with the Austrian government I can confirm that 185 00:16:48,842 --> 00:16:52,697 definitely executive vice president Hannah Wirkkunen had yesterday already a 186 00:16:52,742 --> 00:16:57,882 discussion with the Austrian government to inform about today's decision and the 187 00:16:57,930 --> 00:17:01,544 notification the formal assessment of the draft law has also been sent to the 188 00:17:01,589 --> 00:17:05,716 Austrian authorities so again it's a very good cooperation let's bring this 189 00:17:05,767 --> 00:17:10,306 cooperation now to the council to the parliament to find an agreement on the Kids 190 00:17:10,348 --> 00:17:11,477 Act. 191 00:17:11,477 --> 00:17:16,877 Thank you. I don't see more questions in the room for Tomas. 192 00:17:17,057 --> 00:17:24,497 Lucas that for Tomas let me first take this request here on the front. 193 00:17:25,457 --> 00:17:32,213 Yes, hello Pascal Anzens for Investigate Europe and also as a member of the API. 194 00:17:32,309 --> 00:17:38,333 Yesterday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen received a letter from 195 00:17:38,405 --> 00:17:44,619 around fifteen press freedom organisations and investigative media calling for a 196 00:17:44,683 --> 00:17:51,111 review of these practices regarding access to documents, in particular the rules 197 00:17:51,206 --> 00:17:57,911 adopted in December 2024, which raise questions, particularly about the general 198 00:17:58,006 --> 00:18:02,088 principle of non-disclosure. And my question is quite simple: 199 00:18:02,137 --> 00:18:07,105 does the Commission have an initial reaction to this letter, and does it intend to 200 00:18:07,172 --> 00:18:11,306 follow up on some of the recommendations made in this letter? 201 00:18:11,391 --> 00:18:12,591 Thank you. 202 00:18:13,637 --> 00:18:16,864 Yes, thank you Pascal. Yes, that is another matter. 203 00:18:16,925 --> 00:18:18,125 Go ahead, Tomas. 204 00:18:18,557 --> 00:18:23,762 Hello Pascal. So first of all, I will start with one of the most important points. 205 00:18:23,820 --> 00:18:28,301 The Commission is the most transparent organisation in the world. 206 00:18:28,374 --> 00:18:32,189 And we, of course, take this responsibility extremely seriously; 207 00:18:32,243 --> 00:18:38,057 in terms of figures, we receive more 7,000 requests per year, which is roughly 30 208 00:18:38,110 --> 00:18:45,137 requests per day. All of these requests are are systematically processed. 209 00:18:45,182 --> 00:18:49,411 We do this with a system that is extremely rigorous in order to be able to process 210 00:18:49,460 --> 00:18:53,662 this enormous influx of requests, which is by the way the largest of all the 211 00:18:53,726 --> 00:18:58,737 European institutions. and we do this, of course, always in compliance with the 212 00:18:58,798 --> 00:19:03,245 guidelines, the legal framework and, of course, the recommendations that are 213 00:19:03,282 --> 00:19:06,023 sometimes made by the Court of Justice of the European Union. 214 00:19:06,097 --> 00:19:11,313 The processing time for requests, of course, depends on various factors, including 215 00:19:11,420 --> 00:19:15,998 the scope of the request and, of course, the type of documents involved. 216 00:19:16,045 --> 00:19:20,607 requested, or indeed any potential internal consultations that need to be carried 217 00:19:20,651 --> 00:19:24,919 out in order to retrieve these documents. But once again, we are the most 218 00:19:24,966 --> 00:19:28,974 transparent organisation in the world; we take this extremely seriously and we will, 219 00:19:29,036 --> 00:19:30,737 of course, continue to do so. 220 00:19:32,177 --> 00:19:35,632 Thank you, Tomas. Any further questions for Tomas? 221 00:19:35,685 --> 00:19:37,577 Pascal has a follow-up question. 222 00:19:39,557 --> 00:19:44,667 Yes. A follow-up question. On the follow-up envisaged by the European Commission 223 00:19:44,703 --> 00:19:45,903 regarding this letter. 224 00:19:47,417 --> 00:19:50,246 So we can therefore confirm that we have indeed received this letter. 225 00:19:50,312 --> 00:19:56,299 We will now analyse it in detail and then I cannot prejudge what follow-up we will 226 00:19:56,374 --> 00:19:57,574 give to this letter. 227 00:19:57,977 --> 00:20:04,707 There we go. And I still have a few hands raised online. 228 00:20:04,766 --> 00:20:05,966 So, Tomas. 229 00:20:10,517 --> 00:20:13,982 Yes. Good afternoon. Tomas Gallavotti Edin Kronos Italy. 230 00:20:14,057 --> 00:20:19,156 It's just a question I think it's for Tomas because it's on the draft budgetary 231 00:20:19,217 --> 00:20:30,790 program of plan of Italy it contains the they extend the threshold to exceed to the 232 00:20:30,889 --> 00:20:37,127 flat tax for self-employed to 100,000 euros. 233 00:20:37,337 --> 00:20:41,691 I wonder if this measure is in line with the recommendations of the Commission or 234 00:20:41,738 --> 00:20:44,344 not and if you have any comment about this measure. 235 00:20:44,417 --> 00:20:45,617 Many thanks. 236 00:20:46,877 --> 00:20:50,649 Thanks Tomas so I will not prejudge the upcoming semester package we are definitely 237 00:20:50,688 --> 00:20:55,037 assessing it and you can expect definitely some developments later this year. 238 00:20:55,877 --> 00:21:00,437 Good. Thank you. Alexandra Voudouri online. 239 00:21:04,037 --> 00:21:06,797 Yes thank you Paula. For the floor do you hear me well. 240 00:21:07,217 --> 00:21:08,117 Yes. 241 00:21:08,117 --> 00:21:16,220 It's unsafe. Hi Tomas. Greece has already expressed interest in participating in the 242 00:21:16,267 --> 00:21:21,898 second round of SAFE funding. First of all can the Commission confirm whether it has 243 00:21:21,971 --> 00:21:28,077 received any indication of the additional amount Greece intends to request and if 244 00:21:28,217 --> 00:21:35,605 demand exceeds the available 21. 3 billion what criteria will determine the final 245 00:21:35,683 --> 00:21:42,255 allocations and last one if I may can member states use the second SAFE call to 246 00:21:42,340 --> 00:21:47,594 expand projects already included in their approved investment plans or will they be 247 00:21:47,648 --> 00:21:51,497 required to submit entirely new proposals. 248 00:21:51,557 --> 00:21:52,757 Thank you so much. 249 00:21:53,297 --> 00:21:57,080 Thanks Alexandra. On the first question I will not go into bilateral discussions 250 00:21:57,114 --> 00:22:00,569 we're currently having with our member states I can definitely confirm that we have 251 00:22:00,617 --> 00:22:03,846 sent Commissioner Kubilius has just sent a letter on behalf of the Commission to all 252 00:22:03,883 --> 00:22:08,073 member states including Greece Greece can now like all other member states express 253 00:22:08,115 --> 00:22:10,170 their interest and we will take it from there. 254 00:22:10,217 --> 00:22:13,628 Now on the amount let's make sure first that the 21. 255 00:22:13,697 --> 00:22:16,922 3 billion will be taken. This is our first priority. 256 00:22:16,997 --> 00:22:21,608 We hope definitely that there will be need interest from our member states given the 257 00:22:21,685 --> 00:22:26,819 need to increase Europe's security also of course in close coordination with Ukraine 258 00:22:26,868 --> 00:22:30,857 as also announced by the President during the State of the Union address. 259 00:22:30,917 --> 00:22:37,402 Now on the new plans or expand existing plans I'm not in full details of the exact 260 00:22:37,457 --> 00:22:41,009 criteria set out in the regulation. I don't think we have changed them. 261 00:22:41,057 --> 00:22:45,482 What would happen after the expression of interest will of course in a very fair way 262 00:22:45,543 --> 00:22:49,413 as always reallocate tentatively the amount to our member states. 263 00:22:49,457 --> 00:22:53,198 They can then submit additional SAFE plans to the Commission and we would then take 264 00:22:53,242 --> 00:22:54,977 it from there and have to reassess them. 265 00:22:55,997 --> 00:23:02,057 Okay. Still for Tomas in the room. Luca. 266 00:23:05,297 --> 00:23:13,108 Thank you. So reading your news item I understand the Commission is encouraging 267 00:23:13,212 --> 00:23:19,534 member states to use these second round of SAFE to do joint ventures with Ukraine 268 00:23:19,620 --> 00:23:24,780 and to take Ukraine's needs into accounts. 269 00:23:24,917 --> 00:23:32,777 The. Language is very soft these are loans member states are taking how can the 270 00:23:32,897 --> 00:23:41,563 Commission encourage them to use them together with the Ukrainians and not just to 271 00:23:41,717 --> 00:23:44,777 give contracts for the national industry. 272 00:23:46,757 --> 00:23:51,181 Thank you. You have a very good first point we haven't changed the regulation in the 273 00:23:51,218 --> 00:23:55,259 meantime it's just a new call meaning that the criteria remain the same. 274 00:23:55,337 --> 00:23:59,477 You're right member states will have to be taking the loans and this is and this has 275 00:23:59,537 --> 00:24:02,297 been the entire idea behind SAFE since the very beginning. 276 00:24:02,357 --> 00:24:06,309 This is about joint procurement and given the current context and I don't have to 277 00:24:06,353 --> 00:24:12,567 elaborate on this we have obviously associated Ukraine from day one to SAFE the war 278 00:24:12,628 --> 00:24:18,477 is intensifying we are definitely encouraging our member states to do whatever they 279 00:24:18,562 --> 00:24:22,841 can to do joint projects as also announced again by the President during the State 280 00:24:22,884 --> 00:24:27,304 of the Union address to see how these leftovers can potentially benefit definitely 281 00:24:27,383 --> 00:24:31,648 national defense industries but also Ukraine in the current context. 282 00:24:31,697 --> 00:24:36,634 So I think we can align both interests but again these loans are taken by the member 283 00:24:36,677 --> 00:24:37,877 states. 284 00:24:39,497 --> 00:24:42,977 Good. And I see still online Maximilian. 285 00:24:47,717 --> 00:24:51,542 Hello thank you. Can you hear me well. Hi. 286 00:24:51,977 --> 00:24:56,227 Perfect. Thank you. I have a question on AI. 287 00:24:56,297 --> 00:25:02,466 There was a video call yesterday organized by Finland and Norway on the safety of 288 00:25:02,544 --> 00:25:07,432 frontier AI models. I wanted to ask if the Commission took part in this call and if 289 00:25:07,493 --> 00:25:11,673 yes who took part what was the Commission's perspective and what was the outcome of 290 00:25:11,721 --> 00:25:12,921 the call. Thank you. 291 00:25:14,717 --> 00:25:19,593 Thank you Maximilian. We definitely welcome the steps taken at this level. 292 00:25:19,637 --> 00:25:23,045 We have always been clear we cannot tackle AI risks in isolation. 293 00:25:23,117 --> 00:25:27,628 We have to do it with our like-minded partners and definitely with our EU member 294 00:25:27,677 --> 00:25:33,455 states. So work is ongoing. On the call itself I will have to double check but many 295 00:25:33,547 --> 00:25:38,775 college members including the President are traveling so there may be a logistics 296 00:25:38,837 --> 00:25:40,457 issue to be able to join such a call. 297 00:25:40,877 --> 00:25:47,516 Thank you. But we'll check. Good. I see no further questions. 298 00:25:47,597 --> 00:25:50,957 In the room we change topic. Yes please. 299 00:25:55,457 --> 00:25:58,240 Hello Nicholas Pichler Austrian Press Agency. 300 00:25:58,337 --> 00:26:05,195 I have a question regarding the Hungarian special taxes for retailers there are 301 00:26:05,297 --> 00:26:12,273 reports about a letter from the chief of the Austrian retailer Spar to the 302 00:26:12,345 --> 00:26:18,283 Commission. So what's the position of the Commission to this letter in this letter 303 00:26:18,377 --> 00:26:24,341 the chief of Spar calls for. I don't know how. 304 00:26:24,497 --> 00:26:31,327 Do I say yeah he calls for a case to the European Court of Justice because of the 305 00:26:31,375 --> 00:26:35,597 special taxes so yeah what's the position of the Commission on that. 306 00:26:37,637 --> 00:26:48,222 Good. I have I'm looking at the Teams to see first of all if we are aware of such a 307 00:26:48,406 --> 00:27:00,017 letter. Luisa is approaching so I. Let's see what we can tell you about it. 308 00:27:03,677 --> 00:27:08,620 Hi thank you and good afternoon. So we are not aware of this letter. 309 00:27:08,657 --> 00:27:12,905 We would have to check and we can come back to you. 310 00:27:13,457 --> 00:27:18,341 However we're aware of this this case there's been several infringement cases 311 00:27:18,430 --> 00:27:23,900 regarding this tax framework which discourage investments by resident investors in 312 00:27:23,965 --> 00:27:30,245 government securities of other EA states. The Hungarian infringement case is only 313 00:27:30,295 --> 00:27:35,412 one case that is part of an ongoing broader horizontal assessment of member states 314 00:27:35,477 --> 00:27:41,383 legal frameworks and based on the outcome of the overall assessment we'll the 315 00:27:41,431 --> 00:27:45,836 Commission will determine appropriate follow-up actions but so on the specific 316 00:27:45,879 --> 00:27:47,177 letter we'll come back to you. 317 00:27:47,897 --> 00:27:53,117 Yeah. Nicholas you have a follow-up. 318 00:27:53,357 --> 00:27:59,995 But excuse me you said you are not aware of this letter because Austrian newspaper 319 00:28:00,077 --> 00:28:04,194 Daily Newspaper depressed today reports about it. 320 00:28:04,277 --> 00:28:10,427 This letter went to Stefan Sejun on 21th of October. 321 00:28:10,517 --> 00:28:15,497 21st of October. So yeah I'm interested. 322 00:28:15,977 --> 00:28:22,052 Yes Nicholas. So we will check precisely whether this letter did arrive and thank 323 00:28:22,107 --> 00:28:28,189 you also for specifying the addressee so EVP Sejourné was the addressee of this 324 00:28:28,250 --> 00:28:33,881 letter we will check with him and the team to indeed see if the letter has been 325 00:28:33,932 --> 00:28:37,897 received and we will follow up with you. Okay. 326 00:28:38,057 --> 00:28:52,210 Good. Other questions to Luisa? No. Other topics that you'd like to raise today and 327 00:28:52,367 --> 00:28:55,037 yes please. Here in the room. 328 00:28:57,077 --> 00:29:00,315 Thank. You Paula. Olena Abramovich Radio Free Europe. 329 00:29:00,377 --> 00:29:08,767 I have a question on peace negotiations between Russia Ukraine US and participation 330 00:29:08,860 --> 00:29:14,391 of EU. I know that it was commented a bit yesterday but since then there were some 331 00:29:14,460 --> 00:29:22,180 new statements from Russia for example that EU is not part of trilateral talks and 332 00:29:22,286 --> 00:29:28,007 also Ukrainian President said that if US will insist it should be only three 333 00:29:28,085 --> 00:29:34,928 participators it's fine for Ukraine because Ukraine wants it to happen could you 334 00:29:34,980 --> 00:29:40,333 share with us the latest information about possible participation of the EU did EU 335 00:29:40,480 --> 00:29:49,301 reach to I don't know US Ukraine and since EU participated in previous two technical 336 00:29:49,395 --> 00:29:52,517 rounds what could go wrong since then. Thank you. 337 00:29:54,557 --> 00:29:59,541 For. Of all I don't think anything went wrong but as we've said a number of times 338 00:29:59,597 --> 00:30:05,034 also from this podium these negotiations are happening in different formats at 339 00:30:05,140 --> 00:30:12,014 different places at different levels involving sometimes heads of state and 340 00:30:12,070 --> 00:30:18,261 governments sometimes ministers sometimes senior officials and we have been involved 341 00:30:18,349 --> 00:30:29,670 and we continue to pursue an. End to this terrible war and to achieve peace that is 342 00:30:29,735 --> 00:30:35,117 lasting that is sustainable. Now on the next possible meetings we have no further 343 00:30:35,177 --> 00:30:40,617 information to share at this point it could change any moment. 344 00:30:40,757 --> 00:30:48,317 Good. I have a question I think still on foreign affairs from Momchil. 345 00:30:52,817 --> 00:31:01,167 Yes. Hello. Yes. Yesterday there was another drone attack in the Black Sea very near 346 00:31:01,242 --> 00:31:07,067 very nearly to the Bulgarian coast. So my question is first is the what is the 347 00:31:07,119 --> 00:31:12,531 comment of the Commission about this attack and second has Bulgaria requested any 348 00:31:12,617 --> 00:31:16,697 help from the Commission in connection with this accident. 349 00:31:18,257 --> 00:31:24,326 Yes. Thank you. Momchil indeed. Another strike yesterday. 350 00:31:24,497 --> 00:31:25,697 Christian. 351 00:31:25,937 --> 00:31:31,529 Thank you Momchil for your question. Well first of all let me say that we stand in 352 00:31:31,577 --> 00:31:40,532 full solidarity with Bulgaria. In the context of this latest attack. 353 00:31:40,877 --> 00:31:45,725 Drone attacks on commercial ships are unfortunately part of a wider pattern of 354 00:31:45,779 --> 00:31:48,257 increased attacks that we have seen recently. 355 00:31:48,317 --> 00:31:53,127 They represent a dangerous and unacceptable escalation. 356 00:31:53,297 --> 00:31:58,598 These are threats to regional maritime security to EU interests and those of the 357 00:31:58,659 --> 00:32:04,172 broader international community which of course relies as you know on Black Sea 358 00:32:04,245 --> 00:32:09,224 supply chains. And they are the result of Russia's war of aggression against 359 00:32:09,305 --> 00:32:14,480 Ukraine. So civilian lives global trade food security and critical infrastructure 360 00:32:14,537 --> 00:32:19,982 are at stake and this is why the EU calls for a safe and open Black Sea for Ukraine 361 00:32:20,068 --> 00:32:25,343 for the EU member states and for the world. 362 00:32:25,517 --> 00:32:32,005 On a specific context to to request support I'm I'm at the moment not aware if I if 363 00:32:32,057 --> 00:32:38,400 I find out more I'm happy to tell you but of course as I said we stand by Bulgaria 364 00:32:38,477 --> 00:32:44,905 and also stand ready to work with the member states Bulgaria Romania in this in this 365 00:32:44,957 --> 00:32:50,311 context of course also in the context of the maritime security hub that we have 366 00:32:50,355 --> 00:32:51,555 discussed here before. 367 00:32:52,277 --> 00:33:02,957 Thank you. Other questions to Christian. I don't see any. 368 00:33:03,137 --> 00:33:07,071 On the other hand we may have one for Anwar. 369 00:33:07,337 --> 00:33:12,677 Nicholas. Nicholas Nielsen. 370 00:33:14,237 --> 00:33:15,317 Yes. Can you hear me? 371 00:33:15,317 --> 00:33:16,517 Yeah. 372 00:33:17,477 --> 00:33:21,619 Yeah. There's a strange echo. Okay. Oh Nicholas Nielsen EU observer. 373 00:33:21,677 --> 00:33:24,209 Yeah. I had a so yes indeed I have a question on Egypt. 374 00:33:24,257 --> 00:33:30,239 I I saw your statement on Egypt's crackdown against independent media organization 375 00:33:30,331 --> 00:33:35,426 Madame Asf. But there's still two things that are a bit unclear to me. 376 00:33:35,597 --> 00:33:41,777 So for one first thing is will you ask Egypt to drop its case charges and conviction 377 00:33:41,844 --> 00:33:46,577 against journalist Lina Atala? So that's the first question. 378 00:33:46,637 --> 00:33:53,652 And then the second question I mean your multi-billion euro macro financial 379 00:33:53,744 --> 00:33:59,594 assistance to Egypt is also preconditioned on Egypt taking and I quote concrete 380 00:33:59,645 --> 00:34:05,618 incredible steps towards human rights. Democracy and the rule of law. 381 00:34:05,717 --> 00:34:11,335 So the question is would you qualify Egypt's crackdown against this particular media 382 00:34:11,417 --> 00:34:18,790 independent media outlet and the journalist as a concrete and credible step? 383 00:34:18,917 --> 00:34:20,057 Thank you. 384 00:34:20,057 --> 00:34:26,317 Thank you Nicholas. So indeed for Anwar also following a. 385 00:34:26,537 --> 00:34:33,677 A spoke statement by Anwar on the topic of Egypt and media. 386 00:34:34,637 --> 00:34:36,927 Yes indeed. Thank you. Thank you for your question. 387 00:34:36,977 --> 00:34:40,939 Look I will not go further than what we have already put out there in terms of our 388 00:34:40,992 --> 00:34:44,604 position on the matter that I will recall from here and that my colleague Guillaume 389 00:34:44,650 --> 00:34:48,737 can maybe come to the stage in terms of your second angle on this strategic 390 00:34:48,797 --> 00:34:53,354 comprehensive partnership itself. But let me recall here that freedom of expression 391 00:34:53,408 --> 00:34:58,311 is a fundamental right for both the European Union and for Egypt. 392 00:34:58,457 --> 00:35:02,339 Our association agreement together with our strategic and comprehensive partnership 393 00:35:02,386 --> 00:35:09,247 as you pointed to entail a shared commitment to the universal values of democracy 394 00:35:09,317 --> 00:35:14,382 the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. 395 00:35:14,477 --> 00:35:21,687 And in light of such as we have been vocal on the preservation and the protection of 396 00:35:21,783 --> 00:35:26,215 independent media outlets including the one that you have mentioned and that we have 397 00:35:26,248 --> 00:35:31,097 been also vocal on in our statement Madame Asf are essential. 398 00:35:33,737 --> 00:35:41,624 Thank you Anwar. Other questions to Anwar on foreign affairs. 399 00:35:42,017 --> 00:35:51,077 No. Then we can change subject. Other questions today for us in the room. 400 00:35:51,257 --> 00:36:04,329 No. I see an. Uber. Yes. Hello thank you for the floor. 401 00:36:04,397 --> 00:36:07,168 Je vais poser ma question en français si c'est possible. 402 00:36:07,217 --> 00:36:10,837 C'est une question pour Ricardo je pense une partie de la classe politique française 403 00:36:10,885 --> 00:36:16,724 s'est insurgée en début de semaine contre les exigences supposées de la Commission 404 00:36:16,769 --> 00:36:20,126 dans les négociations sur l'aide d'État française au nouveau nucléaire. 405 00:36:20,177 --> 00:36:23,643 Est-ce que vous confirmez que la Commission pousse pour plus d'interconnexion en 406 00:36:23,697 --> 00:36:27,444 France en échange du feu vert pour l'aide d'État au nouveau nucléaire? 407 00:36:27,497 --> 00:36:31,268 Et que répond la Commission à ces représentants politiques qui en France vous 408 00:36:31,320 --> 00:36:35,736 accusent de je cite dicter à la France sa politique énergétique d'interférer en fait 409 00:36:35,787 --> 00:36:40,683 dans la politique énergétique française à travers des supposées exigences de la 410 00:36:40,757 --> 00:36:41,957 DGCOMP? Merci. 411 00:36:43,877 --> 00:36:47,988 Bonjour. Alain et merci pour ta question. Je pense que je vais commencer par dire 412 00:36:48,029 --> 00:36:52,331 que je ne vais je ne vais pas briser un des principes sacrés de cette salle de 413 00:36:52,381 --> 00:36:54,814 presse et faire des commentaires sur des commentaires. 414 00:36:54,857 --> 00:36:58,372 Maintenant ce que je peux vous dire c'est que la Commission continue à être en 415 00:36:58,438 --> 00:37:03,372 contact étroit avec les autorités françaises sur ce projet d'aide d'État. 416 00:37:03,437 --> 00:37:08,578 Nous avons bien conscience de l'importance du projet y compris de de l'objectif de 417 00:37:08,631 --> 00:37:13,781 prendre une décision finale sur ceci sur une finale d'investissement sur ceci avant 418 00:37:13,823 --> 00:37:19,913 la fin de 2026. Maintenant la Commission mène son évaluation le plus rapidement 419 00:37:19,982 --> 00:37:22,763 possible de forme à pouvoir prendre une décision. 420 00:37:22,817 --> 00:37:26,452 Maintenant ce qui est important de savoir aussi c'est qu'une une enquête approfondie 421 00:37:26,505 --> 00:37:31,840 est une étape courante quand il s'agit de plan de plan d'aide d'État complexe comme 422 00:37:31,892 --> 00:37:35,889 c'est le cas ici. C'est une enquête qui implique également les parties prenantes et 423 00:37:35,939 --> 00:37:40,920 exige une coopération étroite entre la Commission et les autorités françaises sur 424 00:37:41,009 --> 00:37:46,793 plusieurs sujets. Sur les points de détail de ce qui est dans la discussion ça par 425 00:37:46,830 --> 00:37:50,280 contre c'est un point sur lequel nous ne pouvons pas mener avoir des des 426 00:37:50,329 --> 00:37:51,797 commentaires en plus sur ceci. 427 00:37:53,537 --> 00:37:59,538 Il faut juste rappeler que la législation communautaire qui est d'application par 428 00:37:59,589 --> 00:38:03,837 les États membres la Commission en tant que gardienne du traité c'est son rôle 429 00:38:03,896 --> 00:38:09,283 d'assurer son application. Et toute législation communautaire est le résultat d'un 430 00:38:09,362 --> 00:38:15,455 accord entre les États membres. Il faut toujours le rappeler. 431 00:38:15,617 --> 00:38:23,600 D'autres questions pour Ricardo. Ce n'est pas le cas. 432 00:38:23,717 --> 00:38:28,277 D'autres questions? Max Ramsey. 433 00:38:34,697 --> 00:38:38,382 Hi. Thank you. Max Ramsey from Bloomberg. Sorry I'm not sure who it's for. 434 00:38:38,417 --> 00:38:42,931 It's about the ECB following President Lagarde saying she would step down in 435 00:38:42,977 --> 00:38:47,841 February. I saw that President Von der Leyen made a comment on social media. 436 00:38:47,897 --> 00:38:53,669 Thanking her. But I just wondered if the Commission has any more to add about the 437 00:38:53,740 --> 00:38:56,009 process. Is this just with the Council now? 438 00:38:56,057 --> 00:39:00,887 Will the does the Commission have any I guess hopes for how the process should go? 439 00:39:00,977 --> 00:39:06,458 But obviously it's coming at a time when there's been a certain amount of concerns 440 00:39:06,545 --> 00:39:11,904 over fiscal sustainability. A certain amount of volatility in European bond markets. 441 00:39:12,077 --> 00:39:16,280 Are there any concerns around there. It's a drawn out or contentious process. 442 00:39:16,337 --> 00:39:17,537 Thank you. 443 00:39:17,897 --> 00:39:25,397 Thank you Max. As you rightly indicated President Von der Leyen posted earlier this 444 00:39:25,502 --> 00:39:30,430 morning on the stepping down of Mrs. Lagarde. 445 00:39:30,617 --> 00:39:39,986 She wanted to thank her for everything she has done for Europe for the euro and I 446 00:39:40,115 --> 00:39:45,689 quote the President also posted saying that Mrs. 447 00:39:45,737 --> 00:39:53,365 Lagarde has championed deeper financial integration at home and she embodies trust 448 00:39:53,477 --> 00:39:59,043 and authority. And she further praised Mrs. 449 00:39:59,117 --> 00:40:06,646 Lagarde by saying that the world leads needs more leaders alike her and that the 450 00:40:06,695 --> 00:40:10,966 President hopes that many more women will follow in her footsteps. 451 00:40:11,057 --> 00:40:16,207 Now the race for her successor is open for the moment. 452 00:40:16,277 --> 00:40:23,660 We do not have further comments to make on it but we look forward to having somebody 453 00:40:23,717 --> 00:40:30,767 who is as strong and has delivered so much as Mrs. 454 00:40:30,857 --> 00:40:38,028 Lagarde has done in her mandate. Other questions for us today? 455 00:40:38,104 --> 00:40:41,940 Not the case. So we wish you a very good afternoon. 456 00:40:42,015 --> 00:40:45,400 Thank you all. Thank you to our interpreters. 457 00:40:45,476 --> 00:40:47,657 And we will see you tomorrow.