Europe Daily News, 16 May 2024

COMPETITION

• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11528 - Pai Partners / Bluegem / Beautynova)
• Prior notification of a concentration (Case M.11383 - Cooper / Viatris (European OTC Business)
• Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.11388 - Hydro Energi / Miracl / Rein JV)
• Lithuania - A total fine of EUR 710,751 was imposed to Capital Realty and 20 real estate agencies that signed a franchise agreement for violating the Law on Competition
• Switzerland - COMCO obtains low interchange fees for Mastercard debit cards

TRADE & CUSTOMS

• Agenda for: Council of the European Union (Foreign Affairs/Trade) - 30 May 2024
• Agenda for: Working Party on the United Kingdom (TCA & Withdrawal Agreement) - 17 May 2024
• Joint minutes of the 11th meeting of the EU-South Korea Trade Committee - 14 May 2024
• Minutes of the 11th Project Group Meeting - Customs 2027 Project Group: UCC INF Special Procedures - 18 April 2024
• Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of multilayered wood flooring, originating in the People’s Republic of China
• Notice of initiation of an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel plated or coated with tin (tinplate) originating in the People’s Republic of China
• Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2024/1319 of 15 May 2024 on the derogations from the originating products rules laid down in the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand that apply within the limits of annual quotas for certain products from New Zealand
• Answer given by EVP Dombrovskis to a MEP written question - Ukrainian poultry imports
• WTO - New facilitator details next steps for dispute settlement reform talks after consultations
• WTO - Items proposed for consideration at the next meeting of Dispute Settlement Body - 24 May 2024
• EU under pressure after US levies tariffs on Chinese goods - Brussels scrambles to avoid being dragged into trade war between Washington and Beijing - Financial Times

INTERNAL MARKET & INDUSTRY

• Toy safety: Council adopts position on updated rules
• Commission announces 2023 Gender Equality Champions in Research & Innovation - Midday Express
• Commission invests over €1 billion in 54 ambitious defence industrial projects through the European Defence Fund - IP/24/2666
• Commissioner Breton in Germany to engage with government and industry on EU competitiveness and economic security - Midday Express

DIGITAL & INFORMATION SOCIETY

• Draft Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence and amending Regulations (EC) No 300/2008, (EU) No 167/2013, (EU) No 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1139 and (EU) 2019/2144 and Directives 2014/90/EU, (EU) 2016/797 and (EU) 2020/1828 (Artificial Intelligence Act) (first reading) - Adoption of the legislative act & Statements by France & Austria
• Commission opens formal proceedings against Meta under the Digital Services Act related to the protection of minors on Facebook and Instagram - IP/24/2664

AREA OF FREEDOM, SECURITY & JUSTICE

• Commission opens formal proceedings against Meta under the Digital Services Act related to the protection of minors on Facebook and Instagram - IP/24/2665 & Financial Times
• Online ticket marketplace Viagogo commits to improving terms and consumer information after dialogue with Commission and consumer authorities - IP/24/2631

ECB, EURO & ECONOMY

• Financial stability vulnerabilities have eased but the outlook remains fragile, ECB finds

EXTERNAL RELATIONS

• Minutes - Meeting of the Global Gateway Business Advisory Group expert group - 23 April 2024
• EU Statement – UN Security Council: Situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
• EU Statement – UN ECOSOC: Opening of Operational Activities for Development Segment
• EU supports improved Ukrainian–Moldovan border crossing cooperation as part of Solidarity Lanes - Midday Express
• European Union and Turkmenistan host joint conference “30 Years of Cooperation: working together for a better future"
• Concluding Event From EQUAL to Empowered: Advancing Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Uzbekistan
• Joint statement by HR/VP Borrell and Commissioner Ivanova on the 70th anniversary of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the event of Armed Conflict and its first Protocol