European Commission presents a European Agenda on Migration

Today, the European Commission presented a European Agenda on Migration outlining the immediate measures that will be taken in order to respond to the crisis situation in the Mediterranean as well as the steps to be taken in the coming years to better manage migration in all its aspects. First Vice-President Frans Timmermans said: "The tragic loss of life in the Mediterranean has shocked all Europeans. Our citizens expect Member States and European institutions to act to prevent this tragedy from continuing unabated." High Representative / Vice-President Federica Mogherini said: "With this bold agenda, the European Union has proven itself ready to address the plight of those escaping from wars, persecution and poverty. Migration is a shared responsibility of all Member States and all Member States are called now to contribute to tackling this historical challenge." Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said: "In a spirit of greater solidarity, we are determined to implement a comprehensive approach that will improve significantly the management of migration in Europe." A press conference will follow at 12.30 (live on EbS). A press release and memo will also be available, together with a glossary, overview summary, and thematic and country fact sheets. (for more information: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456; Milica Petrovic – Tel.: +32 229 63020)

President Juncker to discuss innovation investments and a new scientific advice mechanism at meeting with eminent scientists

President Juncker is today hosting a lunch meeting with a group of eminent, internationally awarded scientists. Joined by Vice-President Jyrki Katainen and Commissioner Carlos Moedas, they will exchange views on how to ensure Europe remains a global centre for excellent science and make sure the Commission benefits from the best science advice in all policy making. In advance of the meeting, President Juncker said: "The thirst for discovery is what has helped move society from the Stone Ages. The world has changed, but for our society to continue advancing and our economy to grow, we need the highest ambition in pursuing knowledge, breakthroughs, innovations. For that to happen, a formidable brain alone doesn't always suffice. We need additional sources of finance and investment for research and innovation. The Investment Plan for Europe will play a fundamental role in achieving that. Investing in research is a priority for Europe. We are currently in the last miles of negotiations with the European Parliament and the Council to get the European Fund for Strategic Investments up and running. I am actively working with the co-legislators to make sure that the potential short-term impact on fundamental research - which I know has been a concern in the research community - is minimised." Today the President has also endorsed Commissioner Moedas' recommendation to set up a mechanism for high quality, timely, independent scientific advice. Commissioner Moedas said: "In combination with the forthcoming proposals on better regulation, the new model for independent scientific advice will contribute to the Commission's continued pursuit of the best possible evidence-based policy. This will be a significant step forward for an effective European Commission that delivers for citizens, and addresses the major societal challenges which Europe faces." A press release is available online. A press point with Commissioner Moedas and Nobel laureates Sir Paul Nurse and Mr Jules Hoffmann will follow the meeting at 14.30h with live broadcast available on EbS. (for more information contact Lucia Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182; Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153)

State aid: Commission approves amendment to Finnish regional aid map 2014-2020

The European Commission has found a modification of the Finnish regional aid map for the period 2014-2020 to be in line with EU state aid rules. In addition to the regions already approved by the Commission in April 2014, the regions of Viitasaari-Pihtipudas and Äänekoski will also become eligible for regional aid under Article 107(3)(c) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Finland will be able to grant regional aid for investments in this area from today until 31 December 2020. This was possible because in the Finnish regional aid map for 2014-2020 that was originally approved Finland had not used up all of its population coverage. With this amendment the established population reserve has now been exhausted. More information will be available on the Commission's competition website, in the public case register under case number SA.41045. (for more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel. +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

Concentrations: La Commission autorise sous conditions l'acquisition de contrôle exclusif d'Eurostar par SNCF

La Commission européenne a approuvé, en vertu du règlement de l'UE sur les concentrations, le projet de concentration par lequel l'opérateur ferroviaire français SNCF MOBILITES acquiert le contrôle exclusif d'Eurostar International Limited. La décision de la Commission est subordonnée au respect d'engagements visant à faciliter l'entrée de nouveaux opérateurs ferroviaires sur les routes Londres-Bruxelles et Londres-Paris, dans lesquelles Eurostar est actuellement le seul opérateur. La Commission estime que les engagements proposés par la SNCF, Eurostar et la SNCB dissipent tout problème concurrentiel. Un communiqué de presse est disponible en FR, EN et DE. De plus amples informations sur le présent cas sont disponibles sur le site web de la DG Concurrence, dans le registre public des affaires de concurrence, sous le numéro M.7449. (for more information: Ricardo Cardoso – Tel. +32 229 80100; Yizhou Ren – Tel.: +32 229 94889)

EUROSTAT: Industrial production down by 0.3% in euro area

In March 2015 compared with February 2015, seasonally adjusted industrial production fell by 0.3% in the euro area (EA19) and remained stable in the EU28, according to estimates from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In February 2015 industrial production rose by 1.0% and 0.8% respectively. In March 2015 compared with March 2014, industrial production increased by 1.8% in the euro area and by 2.0% in the EU28. The Eurostat press release can be found here. (for more information contact Lucia Caudet – Tel.: +32 229 56182)

EUROSTAT: Women in the EU gave birth to their first child at almost 29 years of age on average

In 2013, a majority (51.2%) of women in the European Union (EU) gave birth to their first child when aged in their 20s, while 40.6% became mothers in their 30s. In addition, more than 127 000 births of first children in the EU in 2013 were to women aged less than 20 (teenage mothers) and around 65 500 to women aged 40 and over. On average, women in the EU were 28.7 years old when they became mothers for the first time. Among the 5.1 million births in the EU in 2013, nearly 1 in 5 (or more than 880 000) concerned a third or subsequent child. On the occasion of the International Day of Families on 15 May 2015, Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, publishes a selection of demographic data related to families in the EU. The Eurostat press release can be found here. (for more information: Natasha Bertaud – Tel.: +32 229 67456; Melanie Voin – Tel.: +32 229 58659 )

EUROSTAT: GDP up by 0.4% in the euro area and the EU28

Seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 0.4% in both the euro area (EA19) and the EU28 during the first quarter of 2015, compared with the previous quarter, according to flash estimates published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. In the fourth quarter of 2014, GDP grew by 0.3% in the euro area and by 0.4% in the EU28. Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, seasonally adjusted GDP rose by 1.0% in the euro area and by 1.4% in the EU28 in the first quarter of 2015, after +0.9% and +1.3% respectively in the previous quarter. During the first quarter of 2015, GDP in the United States increased by 0.1% compared with the previous quarter (after +0.5% in the fourth quarter of 2014). Compared with the same quarter of the previous year, GDP grew by 3.0% (after +2.4% in the previous quarter). The press release can be found here. (for more information: Annika Breidthardt – Tel.: +32 229 56153)

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Commissioner Arias Cañete visits Berlin for discussions on climate cooperation in run up to global deal

Climate Action and Energy Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete will visit Berlin, Germany, from 17-19 May for a series of high-level meetings as political momentum for a new global climate deal gathers pace. On 17 May, the Commission and Norway will host an informal round table discussion on climate change. This will be an opportunity for detailed talks with several partner countries regarding shared priorities. Mary Robinson, the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy for Climate Change and Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), will also participate. On 18-19 May, Commissioner Arias Cañete will attend the 6^th annual Petersberg climate dialogue, a two-day event that will bring together around 40 ministers to discuss the requirements for a successful outcome in Paris. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President François Hollande will give keynote speeches at the event. Commissioner Arias Cañete's visit to Germany will conclude with an informal meeting of G7 climate ministers which will consider the role the group can play in mobilising political support in the build up to the adoption of a new global climate deal. (for more information:Anna-Kaisa Itkonen - Tel.: +32 229 56186)

Le Commissaire Oettinger rencontre les cinéastes au Festival de Cannes

Le dimanche 17 et le lundi 18 mai, le Commissaire Günther H. Oettinger, chargé de l'économie et de la société numériques, sera au Festival de Cannes pour rencontrer les acteurs du secteur audiovisuel européen. Il discutera de la Stratégie pour un Marché Unique du Numérique proposée mercredi 6 mai par la Commission (communiqué de presse). Il participera notamment à un forum avec de jeunes talents européens, en présence d'Abderrahmane Sissako et de Joachim Trier, deux réalisateurs dont des films ont été soutenus par le programme européen Créative Europe-MEDIA. Et ce ne sont pas les seuls! Cette année, ce sont au total 25 films, soutenus par l'Union européenne – pour un montant de 2,4 millions d'euros – qui ont été sélectionnés par le Festival. Un record! Le Commissaire Oettinger a déclaré: "J'ai hâte de rencontrer les cinéastes, plus particulièrement la nouvelle génération qui représente l'avenir de notre cinéma. Je leur présenterai plus en détail nos initiatives pour encourager la diversité culturelle à l'ère numérique". Liste des 25 films soutenus par MEDIA à Cannes (avec le programme du Commissaire). (pour plus d'informations: Nathalie Vandystadt – Tel.: +32 229 6708; Marie Frenay - Tel.: +32 229 64532)