# Official Journal C 457/2018

| | ISSN 1977-091X |
| --- | --- |
| Official Journal
  of the European Union | C 457 |
| | |
| English edition | Information and Notices | Volume 6119 December 2018 |

ISSN 1977-091X

Official Journal

of the European Union

C 457

English edition

Information and Notices

Volume 6119 December 2018

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| Contents | page |
| --- | --- |
| | II   Information |
| | INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 457/01 | Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9123 — ADM/Neovia) (
  1
  ) | 1 |

Contents

page

II   Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

2018/C 457/01

Non-opposition to a notified concentration (Case M.9123 — ADM/Neovia) (
  1
  )

1

1

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| | IV   Notices |
| --- | --- |
| | NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES |
| | Council |
| 2018/C 457/02 | Council conclusions on the strengthening of European content in the digital economy | 2 |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 457/03 | Euro exchange rates | 8 |
| 2018/C 457/04 | Communication from the Commission concerning the prolongation of the Communication from the Commission to the Member States on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to short-term export-credit insurance | 9 |
| | European Food Safety Authority |
| 2018/C 457/05 | Networking of organisations operating in the fields within the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA's) mission | 12 |
| | NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES |
| 2018/C 457/06 | Commission information notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services (
  1
  ) | 13 |

IV   Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

2018/C 457/02

Council conclusions on the strengthening of European content in the digital economy

2

European Commission

2018/C 457/03

Euro exchange rates

8

2018/C 457/04

Communication from the Commission concerning the prolongation of the Communication from the Commission to the Member States on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to short-term export-credit insurance

9

European Food Safety Authority

2018/C 457/05

Networking of organisations operating in the fields within the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA's) mission

12

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

2018/C 457/06

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community — Public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services (
  1
  )

1

13

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| | V   Announcements |
| --- | --- |
| | PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY |
| | European Commission |
| 2018/C 457/07 | Notice extending the duration of the safeguard investigation concerning imports of certain steel products | 14 |

V   Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

2018/C 457/07

Notice extending the duration of the safeguard investigation concerning imports of certain steel products

14

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| | |
| --- | --- |
| | (1)   Text with EEA relevance. |

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(1)   Text with EEA relevance.

1

| EN | |
| --- | --- |

EN

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II Information

INFORMATION FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

European Commission

| 19.12.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 457/1 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.12.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 457/1

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Non-opposition to a notified concentration

(Case M.9123 — ADM/Neovia)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 457/01)

On 12 December 2018, the Commission decided not to oppose the above notified concentration and to declare it compatible with the internal market. This decision is based on Article 6(1)(b) of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1). The full text of the decision is available only in English and will be made public after it is cleared of any business secrets it may contain. It will be available:

| — | in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes, |
| --- | --- |

—

in the merger section of the Competition website of the Commission (http://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases/). This website provides various facilities to help locate individual merger decisions, including company, case number, date and sectoral indexes,

| — | in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M9123. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law. |
| --- | --- |

—

in electronic form on the EUR-Lex website (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/homepage.html?locale=en) under document number 32018M9123. EUR-Lex is the online access to European law.

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(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

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IV Notices

NOTICES FROM EUROPEAN UNION INSTITUTIONS, BODIES, OFFICES AND AGENCIES

Council

| 19.12.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 457/2 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.12.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 457/2

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Council conclusions on the strengthening of European content in the digital economy

(2018/C 457/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

recalling the political background to this issue as set out in Annex (1),

RECOGNISES THAT:

| 1. | the content-producing and content-distributing sectors, which include content and works from the media (with audiovisual, print and online content) as well as other cultural and creative sectors, are essential pillars of Europe's social and economic development. The quality and diversity of European content are inherent to European identity and essential for democracy and social inclusion, as well as for vibrant and competitive European media, cultural and creative industries. These sectors also reinforce Europe's soft power globally. With their crossover effects, they foster innovation, creativity and wealth in other areas; |
| --- | --- |

1.

| 2. | digital and online technologies are a huge opportunity to foster a new era of European creativity. They also provide the possibility of increasing access to European cultural content and to preserve, promote and disseminate our European cultural heritage, for instance through the use of virtual reality. Digital technologies enable all actors to gain new skills and knowledge, develop new services, products and markets and reach new audiences. Online platforms, in particular social media and video-sharing platforms, provide access to an enormous variety of content, especially from third parties, to countless users in the European Union and all over the world; |
| --- | --- |

2.

| 3. | at the same time, the use of digital and online technologies presents challenges for Europe's content-producing and content-distributing sectors as a whole. All actors must adapt their business strategies, develop new skills, broaden their knowledge, rethink the structure of their organisations and evaluate their financing and production/distribution models. Greater use of data is increasingly impacting value chains at all levels. These developments also have an enormous influence on users' expectations and behaviour; |
| --- | --- |

3.

| 4. | the digital transformation has been significantly shaped by global online platforms. In particular the algorithm-driven business models of those online platforms which offer cultural and creative content, including media content, and which are based on the personalised distribution of content and advertising targeted at users have raised questions concerning transparency, disinformation, media pluralism, taxation, remuneration of content creators, protection of privacy, promotion of content and cultural diversity; |
| --- | --- |

4.

| 5. | it is appropriate to highlight the following political priorities on the European Union's agenda:






  A. | Fostering diversity, visibility and innovation |
| --- | --- | --- |

5.

A.

Fostering diversity, visibility and innovation

| B. | Establishing a level playing field |
| --- | --- |

B.

Establishing a level playing field

| C. | Strengthening trust in information and sources |
| --- | --- |

C.

Strengthening trust in information and sources

| D. | Improving skills and competences. |
| --- | --- |

D.

Improving skills and competences.

| 6. | in light of the developments mentioned above and taking the citizens' interests into account, it is necessary for the Council to respond in a comprehensive manner and without prejudice to ongoing negotiations on legislative proposals and on the next Multiannual Financial Framework; |
| --- | --- |

6.

A.   Fostering diversity, visibility and innovation

UNDERLINES THAT:

| 7. | media pluralism is important to ensure that citizens have access to a range of information and viewpoints. Cross-border collaboration among the players of the media sector may help to achieve critical mass and reach wider audiences. Excessive concentration of the content-producing and content-distributing sectors may threaten citizens' access to a range of content; |
| --- | --- |

7.

| 8. | digital technologies have the potential to facilitate cross-border access to linguistically diverse media, cultural and creative content in Europe and beyond, for instance via translation or subtitles. Platforms active in the field of the media and cultural industries in Europe can make a significant contribution either by providing access to European content or by providing content themselves or by producing new European content; |
| --- | --- |

8.

| 9. | the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) is aimed at further strengthening the promotion of European audiovisual content, in particular by establishing requirements for the share of European works in on-demand catalogues and the prominence of such works in on-demand services. Creative Europe MEDIA accompanies the AVMSD by supporting the circulation and promotion of non-national audiovisual works across Europe; |
| --- | --- |

9.

| 10. | appropriate national and EU supporting instruments can play an important role in the digital transformation of the content-producing and content-distributing sectors; |
| --- | --- |

10.

| 11. | the content-producing sectors need to be inclusive and should provide a diverse range of viewpoints and perspectives to enhance the visibility of the diverse European media, cultural and creative content and to reach a wider audience; |
| --- | --- |

11.

| 12. | public service media organisations need to maintain a high and sustained level of journalistic standards and investment in high-quality European content and need to continue to develop innovative ways for delivering this content to the public; |
| --- | --- |

12.

INVITES THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THE SPHERES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPETENCES, TO:

| 13. | encourage the development of competitive European platforms, providing access to European content and promote the creation and the use of an online directory of European films; |
| --- | --- |

13.

| 14. | promote and support, as appropriate, initiatives and non-invasive tools that incentivise the discoverability and accessibility of the broadest possible range of European content and works, including content from small countries and in less-spoken languages as well as general interest content; |
| --- | --- |

14.

| 15. | where appropriate and possible, facilitate cooperation between public service media and private media providers as a means of enabling European actors to better compete with global players and to safeguard the production of and access to European content in an online world; |
| --- | --- |

15.

| 16. | recognise that online platforms, like all other actors, have to act in line with the rules and regulations in the market sectors where they render their services; |
| --- | --- |

16.

| 17. | further support content-producing and content-distributing sectors in accessing financial means and acknowledge the role of coproduction. Where appropriate and in accordance with Union law, a combined system of government incentives, private sources of finance (e.g. risk capital, crowdfunding) and public funding could contribute to a dynamic European content industry; |
| --- | --- |

17.

| 18. | promote innovative approaches in the area of audience development and build awareness of the importance of collecting and processing data in a trustworthy way, notably in compliance with EU legislation on data protection and privacy, to enable a better understanding of the needs and expectations of target groups and to enrich the creation process; |
| --- | --- |

18.

| 19. | increase social diversity in the content-producing sector and improve gender equality with regard to employment, fair remuneration and visibility, and encourage independent research, including the regular collection of comparable data on the proportion of women involved in the creation, production and distribution process; |
| --- | --- |

19.

INVITES THE COMMISSION TO:

| 20. | continue to support and regularly evaluate the independent Media Pluralism Monitoring tool for assessing risks to media pluralism in the EU in the digital environment; |
| --- | --- |

20.

| 21. | reflect on the growing roles of online business models in content production and dissemination and their effect on media pluralism; |
| --- | --- |

21.

B.   Establishing a level playing field

UNDERLINES THAT:

| 22. | in order to meet the challenges arising from the digital transformation of the economy, the taxation system should ensure that all companies pay their fair share of taxes and that there is a global level-playing field; |
| --- | --- |

22.

| 23. | there are ongoing discussions and reflections on how to address the needs of the future ecosystem for digital media and cultural and creative content, including consumer needs. In particular, this concerns the appropriate definition of online markets and the consideration of new, potentially relevant competitive factors such as big data, algorithms and artificial intelligence; |
| --- | --- |

23.

| 24. | the scope of the revised Audiovisual Media Services Directive has been extended to ensure that qualitative rules on advertising, the protection of minors from harmful content and the protection of the general public from hate speech and content that constitutes a criminal offence are also applicable to audiovisual content distributed by video-sharing platforms; |
| --- | --- |

24.

| 25. | the content-producing sector needs comparable statistics and data analysis; |
| --- | --- |

25.

| 26. | there is a diverse range of online platforms offering a variety of functions and services. Some aggregate information and enable searches, others give access to, host and index content and services designed and/or operated by third parties, others facilitate the sale of goods and services (including audiovisual services). They may carry out several functions in parallel, and may also rank or otherwise affect access to and visibility of content; |
| --- | --- |

26.

INVITES THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THE SPHERES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPETENCES, TO:

| 27. | recognise the relevance of the ongoing discussions within the Council related to the taxation of the digital economy; |
| --- | --- |

27.

| 28. | promote fairness by ensuring that online platforms are transparent in their terms and conditions, their performance information with regard to works that they distribute, their listing parameters, their ranking practices and their advertising practices which are embedded within their service, without infringing on trade secrecy; |
| --- | --- |

28.

| 29. | encourage equitable remuneration throughout the digital value chain; |
| --- | --- |

29.

| 30. | continue to work towards creating conditions in which European content creators, including cultural and media professionals, can capitalise on the opportunities presented by the digital economy. |
| --- | --- |

30.

INVITES THE COMMISSION, TO:

| 31. | continue its efforts to ensure a level playing field in the European content sectors where online platforms are active, taking the specific sizes and types of platforms into consideration; |
| --- | --- |

31.

| 32. | reflect, in view of the developments in the ecosystem for digital media and cultural and creative content, upon how to avoid any distortion of competition; |
| --- | --- |

32.

| 33. | continue reflecting with Member States to ensure legal certainty concerning the activities of online platforms in the ecosystem for digital media and cultural and creative content, inter alia, in view of the eCommerce Directive; |
| --- | --- |

33.

C.   Strengthening trust in information and sources

UNDERLINES THAT:

| 34. | against a background of fragmented information landscapes and threats to national security, professional media play a key role in the production, dissemination and verification of information and thus are indispensable to public discourse. In this context, the role of independent public service media in safeguarding democracy, pluralism, social cohesion and cultural and language diversity remains vital. Moreover, many private media actors deliver content which is also in the public interest. In this context, the Council both underlines the importance of citizens' media literacy and source criticism and notes the Commission's Communication on disinformation; |
| --- | --- |

34.

| 35. | media pluralism, which depends on the existence of a diversity of media ownership and diversity of content as well as independent journalism, is key to challenging the spread of disinformation and ensuring that European citizens are well-informed. Cooperation and alliances in these sectors may have positive effects for its actors in regard to economic sustainability and competitiveness in a global context; |
| --- | --- |

35.

| 36. | as content is increasingly distributed via online platforms, the Council notes the Commission's efforts to combat illegal content online and the illegal distribution of content; |
| --- | --- |

36.

| 37. | safe working conditions for journalists are essential in the changing media landscape in order to ensure professional and independent journalism; |
| --- | --- |

37.

| 38. | whistleblowers play an important part in enabling the work of journalists and the independent press, in fulfilling their role as the public watchdog; |
| --- | --- |

38.

INVITES THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THE SPHERES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPETENCES, TO:

| 39. | strengthen the European media ecosystem in order to secure the sustainable production and visibility of professional journalism as a way to empower citizens, protect democracy and to effectively counter the spread of disinformation; |
| --- | --- |

39.

| 40. | ensure the effective protection of journalists and other media actors as well as their sources, inter alia, in the field of investigative journalism; |
| --- | --- |

40.

| 41. | promote professional journalism across Member States and encourage cross-border journalism through the development of skills, training and the development of new technologies for newsrooms; |
| --- | --- |

41.

| 42. | promote independent journalism and protect journalists from undue influence; |
| --- | --- |

42.

| 43. | promote the legal distribution of content and consider the importance of reducing illegal distribution and unauthorised use of creative content; |
| --- | --- |

43.

| 44. | ensure increased access to and the free flow of information to the benefit of the media and the public, enhancing the transparency of public government and the freedom of the media and empowering citizens to enjoy their freedom of expression; |
| --- | --- |

44.

INVITES THE COMMISSION, TO:

| 45. | continue to support projects which monitor media freedom and media pluralism and provide legal and practical help to journalists and media practitioners under threat; |
| --- | --- |

45.

| 46. | continue the regular monitoring of the Code of Practice on Disinformation and inform Member States about the effects of its implementation, especially with a view to the European Parliament elections in 2019; |
| --- | --- |

46.

| 47. | enhance the transparency and predictability of State aid in the context of the digital media and cultural and creative ecosystem and make a user-friendly online repository available with reference to the applicable State aid rules and relevant case-law; |
| --- | --- |

47.

D.   Improving skills and competences

UNDERLINES THAT:

| 48. | new developments create a need for new capacities. Media literacy is a decisive factor for both users and content creators. At the same time professionals from the content industries need to be equipped with a mix of creative, digital and entrepreneurial skills allowing them to make the most of existing and emerging technologies; |
| --- | --- |

48.

INVITES THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, WITHIN THE SPHERES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMPETENCES, TO:

| 49. | promote and support media literacy and digital literacy in order to further develop a critical approach among citizens towards distributed or promoted media content and encourage further training in media and digital literacy among media professionals; |
| --- | --- |

49.

| 50. | adapt training, competence and promotion programmes so that these are more closely aligned with the use of both old and new media and technologies, such as the principles of quality journalism, visual literacy, artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, virtual reality and data analytics. Ensuring conditions for both high-quality media research and journalism education are crucial factors in sustaining a high-quality European media landscape; |
| --- | --- |

50.

| 51. | establish a structured dialogue between students, academics and the industry in order to foster innovation in the content-producing sectors, and harness the potential of creativity and cultural diversity for innovation. |
| --- | --- |

51.

INVITES THE COMMISSION, TO:

| 52. | improve media literacy through support for educational initiatives aimed at both students and professional educators and other professionals such as librarians and journalists as well as through targeted awareness-raising campaigns within civil society. |
| --- | --- |

52.

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(1)  The Annex lists relevant documents related to the issues in question (EC communications, legislative acts, Council conclusions etc.).

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ANNEX

Council conclusions

| — | Council conclusions on European Audiovisual Policy in the Digital Era, 3.12.2014, 2014/C 433/02 |
| --- | --- |

—

Council conclusions on European Audiovisual Policy in the Digital Era, 3.12.2014, 2014/C 433/02

| — | Council conclusions on cultural and creative crossovers to stimulate innovation, economic sustainability and social inclusion, 27.5.2015, 2015/C 172/13 |
| --- | --- |

—

Council conclusions on cultural and creative crossovers to stimulate innovation, economic sustainability and social inclusion, 27.5.2015, 2015/C 172/13

| — | Council conclusions on developing media literacy and critical thinking through education and training, 14.6.2016, 2016/C 212/05 |
| --- | --- |

—

Council conclusions on developing media literacy and critical thinking through education and training, 14.6.2016, 2016/C 212/05

| — | Council conclusions on promoting access to culture via digital means with a focus on audience development, 12.12.2017, 2017/C 425/04 |
| --- | --- |

—

Council conclusions on promoting access to culture via digital means with a focus on audience development, 12.12.2017, 2017/C 425/04

Legislative Acts

| — | Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market (Directive on electronic commerce), 8.6.2000, 2000/31/EC |
| --- | --- |

—

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on certain legal aspects of information society services, in particular electronic commerce, in the Internal Market (Directive on electronic commerce), 8.6.2000, 2000/31/EC

| — | Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, 22.5.2001, 2001/29/EC |
| --- | --- |

—

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, 22.5.2001, 2001/29/EC

| — | Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive), 10.3.2010, 2010/13/EU |
| --- | --- |

—

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the coordination of certain provisions laid down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the provision of audiovisual media services (Audiovisual Media Services Directive), 10.3.2010, 2010/13/EU

| — | Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Creative Europe Programme (2014 to 2020), 11.12.2013, No 1295/2013 |
| --- | --- |

—

Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Creative Europe Programme (2014 to 2020), 11.12.2013, No 1295/2013

Communications and recommendations from the Commission

| — | Communication from the Commission A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe, 6.5.2015, COM(2015) 192 final |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission A Digital Single Market Strategy for Europe, 6.5.2015, COM(2015) 192 final

| — | Communication from the Commission Online Platforms and the Digital Single Market Opportunities and Challenges for Europe, 25.5.2016, COM(2016) 288 final |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission Online Platforms and the Digital Single Market Opportunities and Challenges for Europe, 25.5.2016, COM(2016) 288 final

| — | Communication from the Commission Tackling Illegal Content Online — Towards an enhanced responsibility of online platforms, 28.9.2017, COM(2017) 555 final |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission Tackling Illegal Content Online — Towards an enhanced responsibility of online platforms, 28.9.2017, COM(2017) 555 final

| — | Commission Recommendation on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online, 1.3.2018, EU(2018) 334 final |
| --- | --- |

—

Commission Recommendation on measures to effectively tackle illegal content online, 1.3.2018, EU(2018) 334 final

| — | Communication from the Commission Artificial Intelligence for Europe, 25.4.2018, COM(2018) 237 final |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission Artificial Intelligence for Europe, 25.4.2018, COM(2018) 237 final

| — | Communication from the Commission Tackling online disinformation: a European Approach, 26.4.2018, COM(2018) 236 final |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission Tackling online disinformation: a European Approach, 26.4.2018, COM(2018) 236 final

| — | Communication from the Commission A New European Agenda for Culture, 22.5.2018, COM(2018) 267 final |
| --- | --- |

—

Communication from the Commission A New European Agenda for Culture, 22.5.2018, COM(2018) 267 final

International agreements

| — | UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, 20.10.2005 |
| --- | --- |

—

UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, 20.10.2005

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European Commission

| 19.12.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 457/8 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.12.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 457/8

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Euro exchange rates (1)

18 December 2018

(2018/C 457/03)

1 euro =

| | Currency | Exchange rate |
| --- | --- | --- |
| USD | US dollar | 1,1377 |
| JPY | Japanese yen | 127,86 |
| DKK | Danish krone | 7,4675 |
| GBP | Pound sterling | 0,89715 |
| SEK | Swedish krona | 10,2760 |
| CHF | Swiss franc | 1,1281 |
| ISK | Iceland króna | 139,00 |
| NOK | Norwegian krone | 9,8835 |
| BGN | Bulgarian lev | 1,9558 |
| CZK | Czech koruna | 25,753 |
| HUF | Hungarian forint | 323,11 |
| PLN | Polish zloty | 4,2848 |
| RON | Romanian leu | 4,6467 |
| TRY | Turkish lira | 6,0782 |
| AUD | Australian dollar | 1,5810 |
| CAD | Canadian dollar | 1,5249 |
| HKD | Hong Kong dollar | 8,8976 |
| NZD | New Zealand dollar | 1,6556 |
| SGD | Singapore dollar | 1,5590 |
| KRW | South Korean won | 1 284,35 |
| ZAR | South African rand | 16,3106 |
| CNY | Chinese yuan renminbi | 7,8455 |
| HRK | Croatian kuna | 7,4048 |
| IDR | Indonesian rupiah | 16 472,76 |
| MYR | Malaysian ringgit | 4,7579 |
| PHP | Philippine peso | 60,390 |
| RUB | Russian rouble | 76,1678 |
| THB | Thai baht | 37,277 |
| BRL | Brazilian real | 4,4366 |
| MXN | Mexican peso | 22,8293 |
| INR | Indian rupee | 80,2530 |

Currency

Exchange rate

USD

US dollar

1,1377

JPY

Japanese yen

127,86

DKK

Danish krone

7,4675

GBP

Pound sterling

0,89715

SEK

Swedish krona

10,2760

CHF

Swiss franc

1,1281

ISK

Iceland króna

139,00

NOK

Norwegian krone

9,8835

BGN

Bulgarian lev

1,9558

CZK

Czech koruna

25,753

HUF

Hungarian forint

323,11

PLN

Polish zloty

4,2848

RON

Romanian leu

4,6467

TRY

Turkish lira

6,0782

AUD

Australian dollar

1,5810

CAD

Canadian dollar

1,5249

HKD

Hong Kong dollar

8,8976

NZD

New Zealand dollar

1,6556

SGD

Singapore dollar

1,5590

KRW

South Korean won

1 284,35

ZAR

South African rand

16,3106

CNY

Chinese yuan renminbi

7,8455

HRK

Croatian kuna

7,4048

IDR

Indonesian rupiah

16 472,76

MYR

Malaysian ringgit

4,7579

PHP

Philippine peso

60,390

RUB

Russian rouble

76,1678

THB

Thai baht

37,277

BRL

Brazilian real

4,4366

MXN

Mexican peso

22,8293

INR

Indian rupee

80,2530

---

(1)  Source: reference exchange rate published by the ECB.

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| 19.12.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 457/9 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.12.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 457/9

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Communication from the Commission concerning the prolongation of the Communication from the Commission to the Member States on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to short-term export-credit insurance

(2018/C 457/04)

I.   Introduction

Prolongation of the Communication from the Commission to the Member States on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to short-term export-credit insurance

| (1) | According to its point 40, the Communication from the Commission to the Member States on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to short-term export-credit insurance (the Communication) (1) is applicable until 31 December 2018. |
| --- | --- |

(1)

Marketability of short-term export-credit risks towards Greece

| (2) | The Communication stipulates in point 13 that State insurers (2) cannot provide short-term export-credit insurance for marketable risks. Marketable risks are defined in point 9 as commercial and political risks with a maximum risk period of less than two years on public and non-public buyers in the countries listed in the Annex to that Communication. |
| --- | --- |

(2)

| (3) | Because of the lack of insurance or reinsurance capacity to cover exports to Greece, the Commission amended the Communication by temporarily removing Greece from the list of marketable risk countries in 2013. This modification has been prolonged several times since (3). The last prolongation is due to expire on 31 December 2018. |
| --- | --- |

(3)

| (4) | Consequently, as from 1 January 2019, Greece would be considered as marketable risk country, since all EU Member States are included in the list of marketable risk countries in the Annex to the Communication. |
| --- | --- |

(4)

| (5) | In accordance with point 36 of the Communication, the Commission started to review the insurance and reinsurance capacity to cover exports to Greece several months before the expiry of the last modification to determine whether the current market conditions justify Greece’s return to the list of marketable risk countries as of 1 January 2019, or whether the market capacity is still insufficient to cover all economically justifiable risks, so that a prolongation of the removal is needed. |
| --- | --- |

(5)

II.   Assessment

Prolongation of the Communication

| (6) | Having regard to the need for continuity and legal certainty in the treatment of State aid in the field of short-term export-credit insurance, it is considered appropriate to apply the current Communication until 31 December 2020. This will align its expiration date with those of the majority of State aid guidelines adopted pursuant to the State aid modernisation programme. |
| --- | --- |

(6)

Marketability of short-term export-credit insurance towards Greece

| (7) | By virtue of section 5.2 of the Communication, the Commission conducted its assessment based on the criteria laid down in point 33: private credit insurance capacity, sovereign rating and corporate sector performance (in particular insolvencies). |
| --- | --- |

(7)

| (8) | When determining whether the lack of sufficient private capacity to cover all economically justifiable risks justifies the prolongation of the temporary removal of Greece from the list of marketable risk countries, the Commission consulted and sought information from Member States, private credit insurers and other interested parties. On 11 October 2018, the Commission published an information request on the availability of short-term export-credit insurance for exports to Greece (4). The deadline for replies expired on 9 November 2018. The Commission received 21 replies from Member States and two replies from other interested parties. |
| --- | --- |

(8)

| (9) | The information submitted to the Commission in the context of the public information request indicates that private short-term export-credit insurers have remained restrictive to provide insurance coverage for exports to Greece in all trade sectors. At the same time, State insurers continued to register sizeable demand for credit insurance for exports to Greece, which corroborates the limited availability of private insurance. Among Member States, six explicitly asked for a prolongation of the current exclusion of Greece from the list of marketable countries, four indicated they did not object to a prolongation, while three Member States considered exports to be marketable due to the reestablishment of the economic situation in Greece. Many respondents noted the demand for public export credits and noted the reluctance of private insurance for export credits with respect to Greece. Among the other interested parties, one considered the situation in Greece as having improved, supporting that the short-term risk in Greece can be privately insured, while another supported the prolongation of Greece’s removal from the list of marketable risk countries. |
| --- | --- |

(9)

| (10) | In Greece, the non-performing loans figures remain at an elevated level even if they are gradually declining. Those figures provide an explanation why private short-term export-credit insurance has not yet recovered, since they are a reflection of the risk that undertakings in Greece might be unable to pay their invoices. In Greece, private sector non-performing loans represent effectively half of private sector gross loans. For the banking sector, non-performing loans represent around 44,6 % of gross loans (5) while this figure amounts to 3,6 % for the EU on average at the same period (at 2018-Q2). With non-performing loans at such a high level, private insurance is perceived as too risky. While these statistics are gradually improving on the back of a strengthened non-performing loans resolution framework, a private market for short-term export-credit insurance to Greece does not yet exist. |
| --- | --- |

(10)

| (11) | Greece’s sovereign credit ratings currently are B3 (Moody’s), B+ (Standard & Poor’s), and BB- (Fitch). All of these put Greece in the non-investment grade category and point towards substantial risks for creditors. As of August 2018, Greek government bonds are no longer accepted by the European Central Bank as collateral. In addition, the European Central Bank does not include them in its bond purchase programme. |
| --- | --- |

(11)

| (12) | The Greek 10-year government bond is currently (6) trading at a yield around 4,4 %. While this yield has come down substantially compared to one year ago, it nevertheless remains elevated compared to the other EU Member States (7). |
| --- | --- |

(12)

| (13) | The Greek economy returned to mild growth in 2017. The data released by the Hellenic Statistic authority in October 2018 revealed that real GDP has increased by 1,5 % in 2017 (8). Real GDP growth is expected to accelerate further in 2018 and 2019, assuming sustained reform commitment and implementation. |
| --- | --- |

(13)

| (14) | In these circumstances, the Commission considers that there is a lack of sufficient private capacity to cover all economically justifiable risks and decides to prolong the removal of Greece from the list of marketable risk countries until 31 December 2019. The conditions of coverage set out in section 4.3 of the Communication are applicable in this case. |
| --- | --- |

(14)

Amendment to the communication

| (15) | The Commission has decided to continue to apply the current Communication until 31 December 2020. |
| --- | --- |

(15)

| (16) | The following amendment to the Communication from the Commission to the Member States on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to short-term export-credit insurance will apply from 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2020:






  — | the Annex is replaced by the following:

  ‘List of marketable risk countries:







  Belgium | Cyprus | Slovakia |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Bulgaria | Latvia | Finland |
| Czechia | Lithuania | Sweden |
| Denmark | Luxembourg | United Kingdom |
| Germany | Hungary | Australia |
| Estonia | Malta | Canada |
| Ireland | Netherlands | Iceland |
| Greece (9) | Austria | Japan |
| Spain | Poland | New Zealand |
| France | Portugal | Norway |
| Croatia | Romania | Switzerland |
| Italy | Slovenia | United States of America’ |

(16)

—

the Annex is replaced by the following:

‘List of marketable risk countries:

Belgium

Cyprus

Slovakia

Bulgaria

Latvia

Finland

Czechia

Lithuania

Sweden

Denmark

Luxembourg

United Kingdom

Germany

Hungary

Australia

Estonia

Malta

Canada

Ireland

Netherlands

Iceland

Greece (9)

Austria

Japan

Spain

Poland

New Zealand

France

Portugal

Norway

Croatia

Romania

Switzerland

Italy

Slovenia

United States of America’

---

(1)  Communication from the Commission to the Member States on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to short-term export-credit insurance (OJ C 392, 19.12.2012, p. 1).

1

(2)  A State insurer is defined by the Communication as a company or other organisation that provides export-credit insurance with the support of, or on behalf of, a Member State, or a Member State that provides export-credit insurance.

2

(3)  In 2013 (OJ C 372, 19.12.2013, p. 1), in the beginning of 2015 (OJ C 28, 28.1.2015, p. 1), in June 2015 (OJ C 215, 1.7.2015, p. 1), in June 2016 (OJ C 244, 5.7.2016, p. 1), in June 2017 (OJ C 206, 30.6.2017, p. 1) and most recently in June 2018 (OJ C 225, 28.6.2018, p. 1).

3

(4)  http://ec.europa.eu/competition/consultations/2018_stec_greece/index_en.html

4

(5)  https://www.eba.europa.eu/documents/10180/2385362/EBA+Dashboard+-+Q2+2018.pdf

5

(6)  October 2018.

6

(7)  This corresponds to a spread of almost 4 % to the yield of the 10 year German Bond.

7

(8)  http://www.statistics.gr/en/home/

8

(9)  Greece is temporarily removed from the list of marketable risk countries until 31 December 2019.

9

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European Food Safety Authority

| 19.12.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 457/12 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.12.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 457/12

---

Networking of organisations operating in the fields within the European Food Safety Authority's (EFSA's) mission

(2018/C 457/05)

Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 (1), Article 36(2), provides that the European Food Safety Authority's ‘Management Board, acting on a proposal from the Executive Director, shall draw up a list to be made public of competent organisations designated by the Member States which may assist the Authority, either individually or in networks, with its mission.’

The list was first drawn up by EFSA's Managements Board on 19 December 2006, and since then is:

| i. | updated regularly, on the basis of proposals from EFSA's Executive Director, taking account of reviews or new designation proposals from the Member States (in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2230/2004, Article 2(4) (2)); |
| --- | --- |

i.

updated regularly, on the basis of proposals from EFSA's Executive Director, taking account of reviews or new designation proposals from the Member States (in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 2230/2004, Article 2(4) (2));

| ii. | made public on EFSA's website, where the latest updated list of competent organisations is published; and |
| --- | --- |

ii.

made public on EFSA's website, where the latest updated list of competent organisations is published; and

| iii. | made available through the Article 36 Search Tool to the organisations, providing contact details and the organisations' specific fields of competence. |
| --- | --- |

iii.

made available through the Article 36 Search Tool to the organisations, providing contact details and the organisations' specific fields of competence.

This respective information is available on the EFSA website, under the following links:

| i. | the latest amendment to the list of competent organisations by EFSA's Management Board on [12/12/2018] – [http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/event/181212]; |
| --- | --- |

i.

the latest amendment to the list of competent organisations by EFSA's Management Board on [12/12/2018] – [http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/events/event/181212];

| ii. | the updated list of competent organisations – http://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/assets/art36listg.pdf; and |
| --- | --- |

ii.

the updated list of competent organisations – http://www.efsa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/assets/art36listg.pdf; and

| iii. | Article 36 Search Tool – http://www.efsa.europa.eu/art36/search. |
| --- | --- |

iii.

Article 36 Search Tool – http://www.efsa.europa.eu/art36/search.

EFSA will keep this notification updated, specifically regarding the provided website links.

For more information please contact Cooperation.Article36@efsa.europa.eu.

---

(1)  Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety (OJ L 31, 1.2.2002, p. 1).

(2)  Commission Regulation (EC) No 2230/2004 of 23 December 2004 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No 178/2002 with regard to the network of organisations operating in the fields within the European Food Safety Authority's mission (OJ L 379, 24.12.2004, p. 64), as last amended.

---

NOTICES FROM MEMBER STATES

| 19.12.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 457/13 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.12.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 457/13

---

Commission information notice pursuant to Article 16(4) of Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community

Public service obligations in respect of scheduled air services

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2018/C 457/06)

| Member State | Italy |
| --- | --- |
| Routes concerned | Alghero-Rome Fiumicino and vice versa
  Alghero-Milan Linate and vice versa
  Cagliari-Rome Fiumicino and vice versa
  Cagliari-Milan Linate and vice versa
  Olbia-Rome Fiumicino and vice versa
  Olbia-Milan Linate and vice versa |
| New date of entry into force of the public service obligations | 17 April 2019 |
| Address where the text and any information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained | Reference document


  OJ C 314/10 of 6 September 2018

  For further information, please contact:





  Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport |
| Directorate-General for Airports and Air Transport |
| Tel. +39 0641583681/3683 |
| Email: segreteria_dgata@pec.mit.gov.it |
| Website: http://www.mit.gov.it. |

Member State

Italy

Routes concerned

Alghero-Rome Fiumicino and vice versa

Alghero-Milan Linate and vice versa

Cagliari-Rome Fiumicino and vice versa

Cagliari-Milan Linate and vice versa

Olbia-Rome Fiumicino and vice versa

Olbia-Milan Linate and vice versa

New date of entry into force of the public service obligations

17 April 2019

Address where the text and any information and/or documentation relating to the public service obligation can be obtained

Reference document

OJ C 314/10 of 6 September 2018

For further information, please contact:

Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport

Directorate-General for Airports and Air Transport

Tel. +39 0641583681/3683

Email: segreteria_dgata@pec.mit.gov.it

Website: http://www.mit.gov.it.

| Autonomous Region of Sardinia |
| --- |
| Department of Transport |
| Directorate-General for Transport |
| Service for Maritime and Air Transport and Territorial Continuity |
| Tel. +39 0706067331 |
| Fax +39 0706067309 |
| Website: http://www.regione.sardegna.it |
| Email | : | trasporti@pec.regione.sardegna.it
  trasporti@regione.sardegna.it
  trasp.osp@regione.sardegna.it |

Autonomous Region of Sardinia

Department of Transport

Directorate-General for Transport

Service for Maritime and Air Transport and Territorial Continuity

Tel. +39 0706067331

Fax +39 0706067309

Website: http://www.regione.sardegna.it

Email

:

trasporti@pec.regione.sardegna.it

trasporti@regione.sardegna.it

trasp.osp@regione.sardegna.it

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V Announcements

PROCEDURES RELATING TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMON COMMERCIAL POLICY

European Commission

| 19.12.2018 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 457/14 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |

19.12.2018

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 457/14

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Notice extending the duration of the safeguard investigation concerning imports of certain steel products

(2018/C 457/07)

The Commission initiated a safeguards investigation on certain steel products on 26 March 2018 (1).

Under Article 6.3 of Regulation (EU) 2015/478 on common rules for imports (2) and Article 4.3 of Regulation (EU) 2015/755 (3), such investigation shall be concluded no later than 9 months from the initiation of the investigation. This time limit may however be extended by a maximum period of 2 months in exceptional circumstances. If this is the case, the Commission shall publish a notice setting forth the duration of the extension and a summary of the reasons thereof.

Accordingly, the Commission hereby informs that the investigation will be extended by a maximum period of 2 months for the following reasons.

The size of the investigation, in terms of product scope (28 product categories) as well as number of interested parties (over 800 parties registered), is unprecedented. The investigation therefore entails a heavy administrative burden on the Commission in order to deal with a significant number of representations made by the parties, as well as a complex legal and economic analysis of recent data. There has been a great amount of interested parties which have actively participated in the investigation by providing questionnaire replies, submitting written comments and/or participating in hearings. The collection and analysis of such vast amounts of information received has required a significant amount of time and resources. Moreoever, the current provisional safeguard measures adopted against certain steel products ensures the necessary temporary protection of the Union industry, so that an extension of the current investigation would not have negative effects.

It is, therefore, considered that the above situation qualifies as exceptional circumstances under which the Commission is allowed to extend the duration of the investigation beyond 9 months.

As a result, should definitive measures be adopted, the Commission would publish an Implementing Regulation by 1 February 2019 at the latest.

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(1)  OJ C 111, 26.3.2018, p. 29.

(2)  OJ L 83, 27.3.2015, p. 16.

(3)  OJ L 123, 19.5.2015, p. 33.

---