European Commission Daily News 11th May
Competition: Commission adopts Recommendation for Council Decision authorising negotiations for EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement
The European Commission has adopted a Recommendation for a Council Decision authorising negotiations for an EU-UK Competition Cooperation Agreement. The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which entered into force on 1 May 2021, foresees the possibility for a separate agreement on cooperation in competition matters between the Commission and the competition authorities of the Member States, on the one hand, and the competition authorities of the UK on the other hand. The Recommendation to Council proposes to proceed with implementation of this point of the TCA. The envisaged competition cooperation agreement may include conditions for the exchange and use of confidential information in the context of antitrust and merger control matters. From the EU side, the agreement will relate to the application of EU competition law. Proper coordination of competition enforcement between the EU and UK will benefit European consumers and businesses. The Commission has already negotiated several formal international competition cooperation agreements with third countries: with the US (1991), Canada (1999), Japan (2003), South Korea (2009) and Switzerland (2013). The Commission has transmitted the Recommendation to the Council and the European Parliament, as well as to the European Data Protection Supervisor. It is now for the Council to consider whether and under which conditions to allow for the start of negotiations on an EU-UK competition cooperation agreement.
EU Cohesion policy: Kick-off of the 6th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region
Today, Commissioner Ferreira will open the 6th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). The two-day discussions will focus on a green and smart recovery for the Adriatic and Ionian macro-region. Prior to the official opening, Ministers of the 9 participating countries will adopt the ‘Izola Declaration’, laying the foundations for a more resilient and sustainable Adriatic-Ionian Region. Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, said: “The adoption of the Izola Declaration will lead the way towards a green and digital recovery and will further facilitate the enlargement process of our close neighbours in the Western Balkans. EUSAIR plays an important role in increasing multi-level regional cooperation, resolving bilateral issues, bringing stability and fostering EU integration. This has been once more demonstrated by today’s agreement to include San Marino to become the tenth member, one year after North Macedonia has joined the Strategy.” The EUSAIR, launched in October 2014, covers a macro-region of more than 70 million people in four Member States (Croatia, Greece, Italy, Slovenia) and five countries of the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia) cooperating to overcome common challenges in four pillars: Blue Growth, Connecting the Region (Transport and Energy), Environmental Quality and Sustainable Tourism. See also the programme of the event. You can register here.
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